On the pathway to behavior change, it is not enough to implement project activities and hope for the best. It is important to monitor and evaluate implementation at all stages. This helps improve evidence-based decision-making, improved performance, better resource allocation, quality assurance, real-time learning, and long-term sustainability.
Following the budget tracking and monitoring training conducted under the Strategic Partnership Agreement Project II, the youths have identified key capital projects in the Enugu state 2022 – 2024 budget earmarked for their respective LGAs (Aninri, Enugu South, Igbo-Eze North, and Isi-Uzo).
The youths who are members of the Community Accountability Committees from the four LGAs have embarked on the capital project monitoring and successfully identified these projects and their current states. The committees have also proceeded to send their monitoring reports to their respective LGA Chairmen. The report findings will also be presented to the community members and stakeholders during the LGA town hall meeting.
Here’s a breakdown of the capital projects and their current status:
ANINRI
- Okpanku Market Stall and Oduma Achara Culvert:
The Okpanku market has a long building with 16 shops. The culvert leads to farm clusters in Oduma Achara community.
It was observed that only four market stall at Okpanku is functional. The culvert leading to farm clusters at Oduma Achara is incomplete.
- Ike River Bridge in Aninri LGA:
The Ike River bridge in Aninri LGA has been completed.
- Type III Primary Health Care Facilities:
Construction of type III Primary Health Care facilities in Oji River, Awgu, and Aninri LGAs has commenced but is incomplete. The buildings lack doors and gates.
- FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme:
Support for the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) for rice and cassava in Udenu, Isi Uzo, Nkanu East, Enugu East, and Aninri LGAs has been completed. However, the machinery is non-functional due to a lack of maintenance.
- 3-Span Bridge Across Ike River:
The construction of the 3-span Bridge across Ike River at Amegbu, Agbada Nenwe, Aninri LGA, Enugu State, has been completed.
- Command Technical School, Mpu:
The upgrading and equipping of the Command Technical School in Mpu has been completed.
IGBO-EZE NORTH LGA
a. Construction of Cottage Hospital with Isolation Wing
The Cottage Hospital with an Isolation Wing is incomplete. It lacks electrical wiring, rendering it non-functional for medical purposes.
b. Construction of Amenity Building in Enugu Ezike General Hospital
Some of the construction materials used in both projects appear to be substandard. This could compromise the longevity and safety of the structures.
ISI-UZO LGA
a. Completion of the construction of reinforced concrete culverts and drainage channels – spot improvement/connectivity at Eha-Amufu – Ikem road, Isi-uzo LGA
The concrete and drainage channels earmarked for the road have been abandoned. It’s difficult for motorists to ply the Ikem – Eha-Amufu road during the rainy season, thereby discouraging farmers from engaging in commercial agriculture. FCE Eha-Amufu staff are forced to work late, especially during the rainy season. Vehicles are often trapped due to the bad road.
b. Completion of the construction of type 3 primary health care center in Isi-Uzo LGA
This project has been completed.
c. Construction of rice market with stores/aggregation centres at Adani rice market and Isu cassava market of Uzo Uwani and Isi-Uzo LGA respectively
The project is yet to commence.
d. Fund for agricultural development (FGN/IFAD) of the value chain (VCDP) for rice and cassava in Udenu, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu East, Enugu East, Aninri LGA.
The project is yet to commence.
ENUGU SOUTH
a. Completion of the perimeter fence and landscaping construction at Eze and Onwudiwe parks, Uwani, Enugu South LGA, Enugu state.
The foundation of the perimeter fence and landscaping at Eze and Onwudiwe parks, Uwani, has been completed, and 3 trips of sand were sighted in the vicinity, but no work was ongoing. It is currently uncompleted.
b. Completion of the reconstruction of a section of Awkunanaw street-Etudo Achara layout, Enugu South LGA.
This project has been completed.
c. Rehabilitation of Agbani road-police college -Gariki flyover (By Port Harcourt expressway).
This project has been completed.
d. Furnishing of the Magistrate Court Building, 1×8 courtrooms block A and B at Enugu South.
This project has been completed.
This initiative aimed to promote youth participation, transparency, and accountability in budgetary allocations and project implementation. SSDO team also embarked on monitoring and advocacy visits to the community stakeholders and LGA Chairmen. An LGA focal person was part of the monitoring exercise to ensure transparency. This project monitoring will help trigger duty bearers and decision-makers to take action on uncompleted or abandoned projects.