New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) is implementing a USAID Funded State2State Project in three LGAs namely: Ibesikpo, Oron and Uyo of Akwa Ibom State. The project which commenced in January 2022 has the goal to improve internally generated revenue for Akwa Ibom state and 3 local government areas of Ibesikpo Asutan, Oron and Uyo.
The objectives of the project are to:
- Facilitate the establishment of a multi-stakeholder forum for improved IGR in 3 LGAs of Akwa Ibom State
- Stimulate dialogue, exchange of ideas and networking between the private and public sectors in 3 LGAs of Akwa Ibom for increased internally generated revenue
- Facilitate the development of a strategy document for raising IGR in the state and local government areas
To achieve the goal and objectives of the state2state project the activities lined up being implemented are as follows: capacity building trainings for project staff, identification, mobilization and engagement of stakeholders, advocacy visits and workshops, multi-stakeholders dialogue meetings/sessions etc.
ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT SO FAR
Training of Project Officers and other Support Staff.
New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) is implementing a USAID Funded State2State Project in three LGAs of Akwa Ibom State. As part of the key-off activities, series of trainings were held in January 2022 for Project Officers and Support Staff on project M&E and Advocacy. The aim was to build the capacities of project team for effective and efficient implementation of the project. These trainings were held between January 12th and 24th, 2022. A total of eight ARRDEC staff (4 females and 4 males) participated in the M&E training while twelve ARRDEC/NNF staff (5 females, 7 males) participated in the Advocacy training.
Introduction of S2S Grantees’ Partners to Local Government Council Executives
The State2State (S2S) Team led by the S2S Local Government Coordinator, Dr. Iboro Nelson, visited Oron, Uyo and Ibesikpo LGAs for introduction of S2S project and partners to the Local Government chairmen. The visits happened between 01 and 09 February 2022. On the USAID funded State2state project, New Nigeria FoundationNew Nigeria Foundation (NNF) in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) is working to establish a Multi-stakeholder Forum for Improved Internally Generated Revenue in three Local Government councils of Ibesikpo Asutan, Uyo and Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
In response to the visiting team, Hon Ubokulo, the Executive Chairman of Oron LGA welcomed and thanked the USAID representative and her team immensely for the kind gesture and promised to offer the necessary cooperation to ensure that the S2S project was successfully implemented in Oron LGA. In his own response, Hon. Dr. Usemedimo Udoh, the Executive Chairman of Uyo LGA, thanked the team for the visit and pledge his support to the project in achieving its aims and objectives. A total of twenty one persons (13 males and 8 females) were in attendance in the meetings across the three LGAs.
A multi-stakeholder forum and first joint session of stakeholders:
On February 22nd 2022, a multi-Stakeholder Forum was inaugurated at De Castle Hotel Annex, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. This is among several activities being implemented by New Nigeria Foundation in partnership with ARRDEC on the on-going USAID funded State2state project in Ibesikpo, Uyo and Oron Local Government Councils of Akwa Ibom State. The forum deliberated on the issues that needed to be addressed at the State and LGA levels for improved internally generated Revenue. The forum attracted lots of stakeholders from both private and public sector.
Some key highlights at the event included: a key note address presented by Prof. Akpan Ekpo, a Professor of Economics, who has served in various international and national positions and a former Vice-Chancellor at the University of Uyo; overview of S2S project was given by NNF Deputy Director, Mrs. Olayide Adesanya and group discussion on issues militating against internally generated revenue in the State.
A total of sixty (60) persons (40 males, 20 females) including NNF and ARRDEC staff attended the Forum.
BUDGET ANALYSIS WORKSHOP
A budget analysis workshop was conducted for S2S grantees and the media on February 17, 2022 at De Castle Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The workshop was conducted to analyze the approved Akwa Ibom State 2022 budget, thereby, furnishing the participants with budget information to advocate and execute assigned tasks.
Mr. Edward Nnakee, a PFM Specialist for S2S undertook the whole budget analysis through seven (7) sessions which included; (i) Highlights of 2022 Proposed Budget;(ii) Proposed Budget versus Approved Budget, (iii) Revenue Profile for 2022 Fiscal Year, (iv) Expenditure Profile for 2022 Fiscal Year, (v) Sector Allocations, (vi) Allocations to Priority Sectors and (vii) Policy Priorities versus Resource Allocation.
Mr. Edward thereafter, analyzed the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of 2021 to be poor at 74.11% achieved as rated by PEFA standard which states that IGR should be 15% deviation from the actual.He also highlighted the proposed budget for 2022 to be 582.115 billion naira while the approved budget by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to be 586.9 billion naira.
First Multi-stakeholder LG Sessions Held At Oron, Ibesikpo and Uyo LGAs of Akwa Ibom State, 12th to 14th April, 2022
The first LG Dialogue sessions were held on 12th, 13th and 14th April 2022 at Ibesikpo, Uyo and Oron Local Government Council Halls respectively. The dialogue session was among several activities being implemented by New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) in the on-going USAID funded State2state project in Akwa Ibom State with the overall goal, to improve internally generated revenue for Akwa Ibom state and 3 local government areas of Ibesikpo Asutan, Oron and Uyo.
The dialogue sessions attracted stakeholders from both private and public sectors across the state and the discussion centred on identifying issues hampering IGR in the state and ways to addressing them. The stakeholders who participated in the dialogue sessions included representatives of market women association, Keke Owners and Riders Association (KORA), Staff of Local Government Council, private business owners, youth association, the media
Among the many issues identified that hamper IGR in the state, the ones that cut across the three Local Government Councils were: the issue of multiple taxation, Inadequate structuring of tax system, Conflict of interest between the state and local government, and poor awareness on the need to pay tax.
A total of 50 stakeholders disaggregated into 27 males and 23 females participated in the dialogue sessions across Ibesikpo Asutan, Uyo and Oron Local Government councils.
USAID Funded State2State – Fourth Dialogue Session, Held At Oron, Ibesikpo and Uyo LGAs of Akwa Ibom State, 23rd to 25th , August 2022
In the month of August, 2022, New Nigeria Foundation in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) organized fourth LG Dialogue sessions across across three LGAs of Akwa Ibom State, and these dialogue sessions were among several activities in an ongoing USAID Funded Project. The dialogue session were held in Oron LGA held on Tuesday, 23rdAugust 2022 at May Villa Hotel, 11, Nduonyi Street, Oron; in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA held on Wednesday, 24th August 2022, at Tranquility Hotels Limited, Nung Oku, IbesikpoAsutan LGA; and in in Uyo LGA held on Thursday, 25thAugust 2022 at De Castle Hotel, F Line, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Stakeholders attendance included Keke Owners and Riders Association (KORA), Staff of Local Government Council, private business owners, youth association, market women associations, the media etc. and the discussion centred on identifying issues hampering IGR in the state and ways to addressing them.
At the sessions cross the three LGAs, major feedbacks and resolutions included: 1) Oron LG Council had begun the evacuation of refuse at the Oron Park market and intended allotting the cleared space to road side traders at Akilu, 2) it was agreed at the session that the representatives of the Oron MSF would pay a courtesy visit to the Council Director of Finance in a bid to get the Finance Director to facilitate a meeting with the Council boss for the MSF representatives; 3) ensuring the construction of toilet facility in Afaha market at Ibesikpo LGA through proposing to the council boss to allow for retention of a percentage of remittances by the market executive which would, then be earmarked for the construction of toilet facility in the market, amongst others,4) to ensure evacuation of waste on Ndiyastreet by AkpanAndem Market, Uyo , 5) issue of high levies suffered by different associations of the tricycle owners in the state imposed by Ministry of Transportation had been resolved as reported by the President of KORA.
A total of 59 stakeholders disaggregated into 43 males and 16 females participated in the dialogue sessions across Ibesikpo Asutan, Uyo and Oron Local Government councils.
Monitoring/Follow-up Visits, 11th to 26th August, 2022
Monitoring and Follow-up visits were carried out in the month of August 2022 by the three project officers namely Mr. Imim Joshua, Mr. Akanimo Umoh and Mrs. Ruth Enyongekere. The objective of these visits was to ensure that issues raised in the course of the dialogue sessions held in the previous months such as multiple taxation, oppression by revenue collection agents and IGR consultants, lack of infrastructure in the markets like lock-up shops, public toilets and waste management services, lack of or poor drains in Akpan Andem market etc., were addressed. Project Officers (POs) conducted follow-up visits and held meetings with the affected stakeholders to verify and obtain evidence of allegations made during the dialogues.
These visits produced some positive feedbacks. The Uyo LG Council and the AKSEPWMA assured readiness to partner with the project in order to resolve the issue of waste management at Akpan Andem/Ndiya Street. Also, the team confirmed that both Afaha Market Executives and LG Council have begun negotiations on the Public Private Partnership for the construction of toilet facility at Afaha market, at Ibesikpo Asutan LGA. At Oron LGA, it was reported that the LG council had started evacuation of refuse at the Oron Park Market.
Official flag-off of local government component of USAID State2state Activity in Akwa Ibom State held at Watbridge Hotels & Suite, IBB Avenue, Uyo, 8th
On 08 September 2022, the local government component of USAID State2state Project was officially flagged off. This event which was held at Watbridge Hotels & Suite, IBB Avenue, Uyo, attracted hosts of stakeholders and partners alike from around the state. Those in attendance included representatives from Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Finance, Akwa Ibom State Revenue Board, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, representatives of seven local government councils, New Nigera Foundation’s Project Officer for IbesikpoAsutan LGA, ARRDEC’s Project Officers, etc.
Key moments at the events included a welcome address given by the S2S State Team Lead in the person Mr. BorvePaago-Imabel; goodwill message from the Honorable Commissioner for finance who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, goodwill message from the Honorable commissioner for Local government and chieftaincy affairs who was represented by the Director of PRS in the ministry, a presentation of findings from the LGA self-assessment given by the State2State Local Government Manager in the person of Dr. Iboro Nelson. Also, there was a presentation of findings from social service assessment of the seven focal LGAs where S2S is present. This was given by the S2S CE/CB Specialist in the person of Munachiso Odulana. and followed by a session on questions and answers.
PAUSE AND REFLECT SESSION ORGANIZED BY STATE2STATE FOR VARIOUS CSO GROUPS AND GRANT IMPLEMENTING PARETNERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 7TH SEPTEMBER, 2022 AT URANUS HOUSE, AKA ITIAM STREET OFF NSIKAK EDUOK AVENUE, UYO.
A one-day Pause and Reflect session was held on Wednesday 07th September 2022 at Uranus House, for various CSOs groups and State2state Grant Implementing partners in Akwa Ibom State. This activity was among several activities implemented by New Nigeria Foundation in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre in the on-going USAID Funded State2state project 2022 in Akwa Ibom State.
According to the state2state Project Team Lead, Mr. BorvePaago-Imabel in his opening remarks, said the objectives of the session were; a) to enable stakeholders take out time to learn from each other, b) to share experiences, reflections and lessons learned from State2State activity implementation c) to generate new insights and formulate recommendations that will improve future planning d) to implement and adjust the current implementation strategies and e) to Co-create and discuss solutions.
Other key moments during the meeting included presentation on Review of State2State Activities for CSOs which was given by the CE/CB Specialist in the person Munachiso Odulana. This was followed by a breakout sessions into four thematic groups which were; PFM Group, WASH Group, Basic Education Group and Health Group. Thereafter, different groups’ representatives presented their resolutions.
The meeting was closed at 3.04pm after a group photograph was taken.
USAID Funded State2State Project 2022 in Akwa Ibom State – Monitoring/Follow-up Visits, 7th to 31st October 2022
In the month of October 2022, sets of Monitoring and Follow-up visits were carried by the three project officers namely Mr. Imim Joshua, Mr. Akanimo Umoh and Mrs. Ruth Enyongekere. The objective of these visits was to ensure that issues raised in the course of the dialogue sessions held in the previous months such as multiple taxation, oppression by revenue collection agents and IGR consultants, lack of infrastructure in the markets like lock-up shops, public toilets and waste management services, lack of or poor drains in Akpan Andem market etc., were addressed. In the month under review, between 7th to 31st , these Project Officers conducted follow-up visits to the following: Akwa Ibom State Tricycle Association (AKTA) state secretariat, KORA state secretariat, Oron Park Market Dump Site, Office of the Director Oron Local Government Council, and Akpan Edem Market Committee and chairman Local Government Council Uyo.
Major feedbacks recorded from these visits included: a) Comrade Isreal Jimmy, Chairman of AKTA reported to the team that the issue of multiple taxation and the increment in licenses registration and renewal have been resolved b) dumping site at Oron Motor Park had been cleared and traders were no longer dumping refuse at the evacuated area and c) the support of Akpan Andem Market Chairman was secured and promised to partner with the project.
USAID Funded State2State Project 2022 in Akwa Ibom – Monitoring/Follow-up Visits, 2nd to 12th November, 2022
The three Project Team comprising Mr. Imim Joshua, Mr. Akanimo Umoh and Mrs. Ruth Enyongekere continued monitoring visits in the month of November 2022 between 2nd to 12th with the objective to resolve issues raised in the course of the dialogue sessions held in the previous months such as multiple taxation, oppression by revenue collection agents and IGR consultants, lack of infrastructure in the markets like lock-up shops, public toilets and waste management services, lack of or poor drains in Akpan Andem market etc..
In the month under review, these Project Officers conducted monitoring/follow-up visits to the following: Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) Uyo Lcoal Government Council; Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) Itu Local Government Council; Office of Director, Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics(BPRS) Oron Local Government Council; Office of Director of Finance, Oron Local Government Council, Director of Works, Oron Local Government Council; Office of the Chairman, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Council; Office of the chairman, Ikot Ebere Market Ibesikpo Asutan; Office of the Chairman, Nung Udoe Market Ibesikpo Asutan, Office Secretariat of Oron Market Traders Association and Oron Market Toilet Facility.
Major feedbacks recorded from these visits included: 1) garnered support of the Director of BPRS, Uyo Local Government Council who promised that the state2state activity of NNF will be captured in the LG plan and the 2023 LG Budget for the sustainability of the IGR project in the LGA; and 2) confirmed evacuation of waste at Ndiya Street by Akpan Andem market Executive.
