Delta Inaugurates HOPE-GOV committees, Targets Top Performance In World Bank-backed Reforms

Delta State Government on Wednesday, inaugurated the Steering and Technical Committees for the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity-Governance (HOPE-GOV) Programme.

Inaugurating the committees at Government House, Asaba, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., charged members to work diligently to ensure the state ranks among the best-performing states in the World Bank-supported initiative.

He said that the committees were constituted with the approval of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to oversee the implementation of the HOPE-GOV Programme in Delta State.

The Deputy Governor said, "the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity – Governance (HOPE-GOV) Programme was launched in September 2024 and is expected to run until 30th June, 2029, making it a five-year programme. 

"It is anchored on the Programme-for-Results (PforR) financing model and is supported by 500 million US dollars in World Bank financing.

"The programme is designed to strengthen governance systems in Nigeria’s basic education and primary healthcare sectors. 

"This explains why Commissioners responsible for the various education sub-sectors, health and local government affairs are members of this Steering Committee.

'Its objectives include improving public financing and human resource management while promoting accountability and transparency in public expenditure.

"HOPE-GOV forms part of a broader reform package that includes:

* HOPE-EDU, which focuses on expanding access to quality basic education; and
* HOPE-PHC, which aims to strengthen primary healthcare service delivery.

"Together, these initiatives seek to address systemic weaknesses by ensuring that public resources are properly allocated and effectively managed, teachers and healthcare workers are recruited and retained, and government data is published in a timely manner to strengthen public confidence.

'The programme also builds upon the achievements of the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme by extending reforms across the entire public financial management cycle from planning and budgeting to implementation, reporting and oversight.

"By reinforcing these governance systems, HOPE-GOV seeks to ensure that improvements in education and healthcare service delivery are not only achieved but sustained over time.

"Participation in HOPE-GOV aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government as well as Delta State’s MORE Agenda, both of which emphasize transparency, accountability and participatory governance.

"The expected outcomes include:

* Improved access to quality education and healthcare services;
* Stronger governance structures across all levels of government;
* Sustainable institutional reforms that deliver lasting benefits to citizens; and
* Greater efficiency in public spending with direct impact on the welfare of our people.

"This, in essence, is the mandate entrusted to us as members of this committee, and we must all work together to ensure the programme succeeds for the benefit of Deltans."

Responding on behalf of members of the Committees, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, expressed confidence that members of the committees are result-oriented and will deliver expected results for the good of the government and people of Delta State.

The Delta State HOPE-GOV Steering Committee, comprises:

* The Deputy Governor – Chairman
* Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning
* Honourable Commissioner for Finance
* Honourable Commissioner for Health
* Honourable Commissioner for Primary Education
* Honourable Commissioner for Secondary Education
* Honourable Commissioner for Technical Education
* Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education
* Honourable Commissioner for Local Government Affairs
* Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning – Secretary

The Technical Committee, comprises:

* Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning – Chairman
* Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance
* Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health
* Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Primary Education
* Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Secondary Education
* Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Technical Education
* Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education
* Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Local Government Affairs
* Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government
* Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service
* Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor
* Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning – Secretary

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