PROMOTING EFFECTIVE NIGER DELTA INSTITUTIONS THROUGH IMPROVED SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY PENDISA II

Grant Final Report

Grantee Organization Name: Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa) Grant agreement No. SACE-NDF-013

Grant Period of Performance: January 8th , 2017 – September 30th ,2018

Date of Report: October 22, 2018

This publication was prepared by: Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa) for Chemonics International for activities completed under Contract No. AID-620-C-14-00001.

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Table of Contents 1. Technical ...... 3 1.1 SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 3 1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE GRANT ...... 3 1.3 EXPECTED RESULTS ...... 3 1.4 Details of activities that were expected to be completed or undertaken under this grant ...... 3 1.5 SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 6 1.6 OBSERVATIONS: ...... 19 1.7 RECOMMENDATIONS: ...... 20 1.8 RESOLUTIONS ...... 20 2. OUTSTANDING ACTIVITIES ...... 22 3. DESCRIPTION OF ANY ACTIVITIES NOT COMPLETED ...... 23 3.1 LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS...... 23 3.2 CHALLENGES ...... 23 3.3 LESSONS LEARNED ...... 24 3.4 STRENGTHS: ...... 24 3.5 OPPORTUNITY: ...... 24 3.6 GRANT SUCCESS STORIES ...... 24 4. FINANCIAL ...... 25 4.1 DESCRIPTION OF GRANT ACTIVITY FUNDING – ...... 25 4.2 EXPLANATION OF HIGHER OR LOWER THAN ANTICIPATED COSTS ...... 26

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1. TECHNICAL

1.1 SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goal of the Grant: Niger Delta Institutions (NDIs) become more coordinated, transparent and accountable, and effective instruments for inclusive socio-economic development of the Niger Delta

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE GRANT

Objectives 1 (Capacity Strengthening) • To enhance the capacity of community Civil society Organizations (CSOs) to advocate and engage NDI. • To support the CSOs/Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) project monitoring committee to undertake extensive project monitoring and generate reports which will be used to interface with NDDC and the public. Objectives 2 (Advocacy & Engagement) • To improve engagement between NDI and communities on good governance and inclusive socio-economic development • Secure the buy-in of NDDC new management to CSOs effort to support the commissions project monitoring framework • To follow-up on the successes recorded with NDDC to ensure the functionality of the CSOs/NDDC independent Monitoring committee. Objectives 3 ( Strengthening Public Awareness) • To create awareness on transparency and accountability mechanisms for engaging Niger Delta institutions among stakeholders.

1.3 EXPECTED RESULTS

Objectives 1 (Capacity Strengthening) ➢ Enhanced capacity of CSOs and Global Memoranum of Inderstanding (GMoU) communities to advocate and demand for more transparent and accountable Niger Delta Institutions

Objectives 2 (Advocacy & Engagement) ➢ Improved engagement and advocacy between civil society, communities and Niger Delta institutions for a more transparent and accountable institutions

Objectives 3 ( Strengthening Public Awareness) ➢ Enhanced public awareness on mechanisms for improved transparency and accountability of Niger Delta institutions for democratic reforms and economic growth in the region

1.4 Details of activities that were expected to be completed or undertaken under this grant

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CAPACITY BUILDING 2017

➢ 2-Day CRC tools developmentand methodology, design training with Partners in Warri on CRC Assessment in 20 communities in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayels, Imo and Rvers States and Dat Analysis ➢ One day Joint review meeting with aneej on NDDC of Project monitoring tool in Warri ➢ 2 Day Advanced traininprogrammeon project monitoring, reporting and evaluation trainingin Warri for 12 cluster members/partners.

2018 ➢ One Day Joint Review meeting in project monitoring and reporting tools in Warri. ➢ 2 Day Advanced training project monitoring , reporting and evaluation training in Warri foe 17 cluster/partners

ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT

2017 ➢ One Day Cluster Planning meeting in Warri-Project cluster members (CSO Abia, MSDF, TAD,IRDC and Ilaje RDC) are sensitized on the focus of the project phase II ➢ Town Hall meetings in 20 communities for Citizen Report Card (CRC) Assessment. (4 in each state) in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Imo, Rivers states , ➢ Multi-Stakeholders Policy conference on Citizen Report Card(CRC) and Transparency Index (TI) findingsin Port Harcourt, Rivers State ➢ Monitoring of NDDC projects in 3 Senatorial districts in Delta state by LITE-Africa in yr 1 & year 2. (2017 &2018) ➢ Participation in Multi-stakeholder Policy conference in Project monitoring of NDDC projects in Port Harcourt, Rivers State (2018) ➢ 2 Periodic Cluster Review Meetings held in Warri for year 2 & year 2 (2017 & 2018) ➢ 2 Advocacy Engagements to Ministry of Niger Delta (2017) ➢ Advocacy to NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt and Delta State Office, Warri. (2017 & 2018) ➢ State Level Advocacy-Abia State(2017 & 2018) ➢ State Level Advocacy-Delta State. (2017 &2018) ➢ State Level Advocacy-Imo state (2017 & 2018) ➢ State Level Advocacy –Ondo State (2017 & 2018) ➢ State Level Advocacy –Akwa Ibom State. (2017 & 2018 ➢ One Consultative Engagement with New Niger Delta Commission (NDDC) Leadership in Port Harcourt, Rivers State . (2017 only. ➢ 2 Day Inaugural/Strategic Planning meeting in Port Harcourt with 9 independent CSOs coalition Project Committee members, 2 NDDC reps, (2017) ➢ Year 1-2017 Independent CSO s monitoring of NDDC projects in 3 Senatorial Districts of Nine Niger Delta States- Monitoring in Upland communities of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo & Imo State (2017 &2018) ➢ Monitoring in Upland and Riverine Communities of Delta, Bayelsa, Ondo and Rivers State. (2017 & 2018) ➢ Year 1-2017 Project Committtee Validation Workshops in 2 Niger Delta States (Imo and Rivers) in year 1 and Year 2 (2018) ➢ 2 Meetings with NDDC Officials on Project monitoring Report in Port Hacourt, Rivers State (2017 & 2018

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➢ 2 of One day Annual Committee meeting in Port Harcourt (2017 & 2018)

2018

➢ *Combined Multi-Stakeholders Policy Conference CRC and TI findings Findiings in Port Harcourt, Rivers State ➢ 2017 Monitoring of NDIs projects in 3 Senitorial Districts of Delta State By LITE-Africa ➢ Participation in Multi-Stakeholders Policy Conference on ANEEJ`s TI findings in PH, Rivers State ➢ One Day Cluster Periodic Review Meeting in Warri ➢ LITE-Africa ana ANEEJ Engagements with Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja ➢ Engagement/Advocacy Visit to NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt ➢ State Level Advocacy –Abia ➢ State Level Advocacy –Delta State( DESOPADEC) 2 Engagements ➢ State Level Advocacy –Imo State ➢ State Level Advocacy–Ondo State ➢ State Level Advocacy-Akwa IbomState ➢ LITE-Africa and ANEEJ Engagements with NDDCin Port Harcourt, Rivers State. One Consultative Engagement with New Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Leadership inPort Harcourt Rivers State ➢ 2017 Independent CSOs monitoring of NDIs projects in 3 senatorial districts in each of the 5 Niger Delta states. ➢ Year 2018: Project Committee Validation Workshops in 2 Niger Delta States (Edo & Abia ) ➢ *One Meeting with NDDC Officials on Project Monitoring Report in Port Harcourt, Rivers State - 9 CSO Coalition members, 2 LITE Africa staff and 2 ANEEJ staff (one meeting each in year one -2017 and year two - 2018 ➢ *One Day Annual Committee Meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State-9 CSOs participants in Year -

PUBLIC AWARENESS

2017 ➢ Information, Education and Communication Material (2017 &2018) ➢ Joint Press Conference with Aneej to share findings of CRC and TI report (2017. ➢ Host Call-in Radio Programme/Discussions in Delta and Imo States to sensitize Citizenson the Mandates of the NDIs and to amplify citizen`s voice on the activities of the NDIs ( 2017) 5 episodes.

2018 ➢ Joint Press Conference with ANEEJ to share Findings of the CRC and TI report. ➢ Information, Education and Communication Materials (Printing of CRC/TI Report ➢ Printing of 300 copies of Project Monitoring Report. ➢ Information, Education and Communication Materials (Printing of CRC/TI Report) ➢ Host call in Radio Programme/ Discussionin in Delta and Imo Statesto sensitize citizens on the Mandates of NDIs and to amplify voices on the activities of NDIs.- 16 episodes

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1.5 SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY ACHIEVEMENTS

CAPACITY BUILDING

❖ One day NDDC CSO Project Monitoring Committee Planning Meeting* Leadership Initiative for transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa) and Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), on March 21, 2017 facilitated a one-day strategic meeting of the Independent Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Civil Society Organization (CSO) Project Monitoring Committee to develop a framework to strengthen the functionality of the group. Committee members agreed to continue to engage NDDC in their various states, share information with other members on their engagements; develop the structural framework of the committee; and develop guiding principles and communication strategy for the committee. Next steps include meeting with NDDC officials. This meeting was self sponsored by CSO members.

❖ 2 Day CRC Tools development and Methodology design training with Partners* LITE-Africa organised a two-day CRC assessment methodology training from April 12-13, 2017 for staff, SACE partners, cluster members in the CRC targeted states of the Niger Delta. The training provided participants the opportunity to appreciate the inquiry tools that will be used to elicit citizens’ perception about resource management and the activities of the NDIs in 5 states of the Niger Delta. The exercise provided room for a common understanding of the research methodology for the enumerators and ensured the validity and reliability of the assessment tools through pre- test and pilot surveys. Community selection and timeline for the assessment were agreed upon.

Two SACE partners Nembe City Development Foundation (NCDF), Bayelsa State and Social Action- Rivers State; three LITE-Africa cluster members; African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support-Abia State; Policy Alert-Akwa Ibom; ANMA Development Foundation-Imo state (CCIDESOR partner) and Seven LITE-Africa programme staff participated in the training. A total of thirteen persons participated in the training.

❖ Joint Day Review Meeting with ANEEJ on NDDC project monitoring and reporting tool in Warri*

LITE-Africa and ANEEJ team organized a one-day meeting on 23rd October 2017 at LITE-Africa office Warri to review the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) tool developed by consultants for the Independent CSO projects monitoring and reporting of NDDC projects. The review of the tool was carried out in conjunction with the consultants that developed the tool. The review provided a deeper understanding of the tool and its suitability for the monitoring. It provided the team the opportunity to make inputs and necessary corrections were taken into consideration. A total of twelve persons participated in the review meeting

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❖ 2-Day Advanced Training Programme on Project Monitoring, Reporting and EvaluationTraining in Warri for 17 cluster members/partners*

LITE-Africa and ANEEJ organised a two-day advanced training on developing of monitoring, reporting and learning tool for monitoring of NDIs projects from 24th -25th October , 2017 for cluster members and members of the NDDC independent CSO project monitoring team drawn from the nine Niger Delta states. The training provided participants the opportunity to appreciate the inquiry tools that was used to monitor NDIs projects in the 9 states of the Niger Delta. The exercise provided room for a common understanding of the research methodology for the enumerators and ensured the validity and reliability of the monitoring tool through pre-test and pilot surveys. Community selection and timeline for the monitoring were agreed upon. Thirty-one persons participated in the training.

ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT

❖ One day cluster planning meeting in Warri * (under A&E 2017 in Budget)

As part of the advocacy strategy at promoting effective Niger Delta institutions through improved social accountability, a one-day cluster-planning meeting was organized for cluster members in Warri, Delta State on March 7, 2017. The meeting sensitized cluster members on the project goals and objectives, develop implementation strategies, share roles and responsibilities, and discuss reporting guidelines. The meeting venue was carefully selected to allow easy access for participants from the Joint A cross-section of some participants at the cluster planning meeting. Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD).

The meetings also provided a common understanding of the focus of the project, share success, learnings, and challenges of the first phase of the project as well as opportunity for further intervention and strategies to achieve project result. A total of 13 participants from Ilaje Regional Development Council (Ilaje RDC), Egbema Gbaramatu Community Development Foundation (EGCDF), Morgan Smart Development Foundation (MSDF), Young Ambassadors for Development (YAD), Africa Center for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CharsAfrica), JONAPWD, and LITE-Africa attended the meeting. Participants were drawn from Abia, Delta and Ondo States. Women, youth and persons with disability constituted 64 percent of the participants, while the men constituted the remaining 36 percent.

Key point of the discussions centered on strategies to ensure a more coordinated, transparent and accountable NDIs as effective instruments for inclusive socio-economic development in the Niger Delta. 7 | P a g e

The meeting also explored other innovative ways to engage the NDIs such as increased social media presence and collaboration with leadership of the RDCs, A key take away from the meeting was the commitment by cluster members to share information among members using the newly activated social media platform.

❖ Town Hall meeting for the conduct of Citizen Report Card (CRC) assessment in 20 communities (4 in each state in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Imo and Rivers state &Data Analysis* LITE-Africa, SACE partners and CSO cluster members embarked on community sensitisation to 20 selected communities in the five states of Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Imo and Rivers, to sensitise them on the project and conduct the CRC assessment. The assessment was carried out from 7-15 June, 2017 in four states (Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Imo and Rivers) and from 23 June-1 July, 2017 in Abia state respectively. The CRC survey was administered to older men, younger men, older women, younger women, and persons CRC Assessment town hall meeting in Abacheke community in Imo state with disability in the different quarters of four communities in each of the 5 states. The assessment involved transect walks that provided opportunity for the enumerators to carry out project profiles of the different NDIs. The survey questionnaire included questions cutting across perception, impact, even distribution of project, access to information, and effective representation and social inclusion. The survey used both qualitative and quantitative methods.

❖ Facilitated a 2-Day inaugural/strategic planning meeting of the NDDC Independent CSOs Project Monitoring Committee *

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The meeting was convened for the committee to agree on strategies in achieving the following: • Standard operating procedure for regional and state level activities of the committee. • Guidelines for stepping up state level project monitoring committees. • Identify possible funding opportunities to support the entire work of the committee • Discuss and agree on Reporting template • Reporting timeline agreed upon by committee members with NDDC

The meeting took place on the 12th of A cross section of participants deliberating during the committee September,2017 at Aldgate Congress meeting Resort LTD, GRA Phase 111, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. 14 participants participated in the meeting. Women and youth constituted 43% of the participants at the inaugural/strategic planning meeting of the NDDC independent CSOs monitoring committee.

❖ 2017 Independent CSOs monitoring of NDIs projects in 3 Senitorial districts in each of the nine Niger Delta States: * LITE-Africa and ANEEJ from November 15-30, 2017 coordinated the monitoring of NDIs projects by the independent CSOs coalition in the 9 Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Rivers and Ondo states. The monitoring took place in the selected communities in the three senatorial districts of each state. A total of 237 projects were assessed The health centre project at plastering level in Igo community by NDDC across the 9 Niger Delta States, Out of which 110 have been completed and in use, 63 are abandoned or uncompleted, 18 are completed but in bad shape and cannot be used, 9 projects are completed but not in use, 21 projects are in-progress, 11 projects are uncompleted and are already in use, 4 project sites do not exist but

9 | P a g e have visibility (signboards) and 1 project deviated from what was stated as the project. NDDC implemented the highest number of projects 205 out of 237 projects.

Percentage of Project Status

Commissioned and in Use Completed and in use Deviation from stated project Abandoned Completed but in bad shape Completed but substandard Completed and not in use Uncompleted but in progress Uncompleted but in use Doesn't exist Ongoing Uncompleted 5% 1% 4% 2% 7% 1% 4% 4% 47% 4% 21%

0%

States where NDIs project were monitored

Frequency

51

33 30 31 29 23 18 11 6

❖ 2017 monitoring of NDIs projects in the three-senatorial district of Delta state* To ensure independent monitoring of NDIs projects, LITE-Africa between December 1-10, 2017 embarked on monitoring of NDIs projects in 3 senatorial districts of Delta Central, Delta North and Delta South, to ensure effective resource management and accountability in project implementation. A total of 37 projects where assessed in Delta State by LITE-Africa. Out of the 37 projects assessed, 18 have been completed and in use, 12 are abandoned or uncompleted, 4 are

10 | P a g e completed but in bad shape or substandard and 3 project status couldn’t be specified at the time of visit. NDDC implemented the highest number of projects with a total of 17 projects from what was assessed. DESOPADEC had 15 of its project assessed while 5 projects owners couldn’t be ascertained. The result shows NDDC having the highest percentage of 53.1% for all projects assessed while DESOPADEC have a total of 46.9% of projects assessed.

From the report, 54.6% of the NDIs projects assessed has made some positive impact on the citizens in the region where the project was implemented while a total of 39.4% of implemented projects had made no impact with 6.1% of the projects still ongoing. This shows that a high percentage of projects implemented did not achieve the purpose it was meant to achieve. The comprehensive report is captured in the Independent CSOs project monitoring report

❖ Advocacy Engagement with the management of Ondo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) in Akure, Ondo State.* LITE-Africa and ANEEJ paid an advocacy visit to OSOPADEC in Akure on December 5th, 2017. The advocacy engagement was to follow-up on the commitments made by the commission during PENDISA 1 to ensure that commitments translate into action: The Executive Director Hon. Gbenga Edema of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission(OSOPADEC), made the following commitments on behalf of the Commission:

• That the commission would ensure the development of a functional website • The commission will ensure that communities are consulted during project selection using the bottom – top approach. Presentation of the CRC report by the LITE-Africa Senior Programme officer Arinze • The commission will Ojukwu to Hon. Barrister Olugbenga Edema the OSOPADEC chairman collaborate with other Niger Delta Institution (NDIs), to address the issues of project duplication and abandonment which result in waste of resources. • The possibility of CSOs’ involvement in the monitoring of development projects by OSOPADEC will be discussed at the board meetings. The previous advocacy visit was made on September 15th, 2016, where we shared with the board, management and staff of OSOPADEC, the findings from our research work and Citizen Report Card on Niger Delta Institutions’ survey. This survey which was conducted by both organizations made recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of these interventionist agencies, including OSOPADEC. It was also an opportunity for ANEEJ to introduce the TI as well as provide the indicators for M&E. Through the advocacy effort of LITE-Africa and ANEEJ, the commission has now developed a functional website which can be accessed with this link: www.osopadec.gov.ng. The leadership of the commission commits to disclosing budget information, scholarship and projects

11 | P a g e needs assessment information in the website to adequately inform people of the activities of the commission thereby increasing transparency and accountability.

❖ Advocacy Visit to Imo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission.(ISOPADEC):* LITE-Africa, ANEEJ and their cluster members paid an advocacy visit to the management of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission on Wednesday 28th February 2018 at the Commission office in Owerri. A total number of twenty persons attended. The ISOPADEC team led by Mrs. Okafor Elise, Director Legal supported by the Directors of Media, Head Finance and Administration, HOD of works and other staff under the Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR) unit of the commission were on ground to welcome the advocacy team. The purpose of the meeting was to officially Mrs Okafor Elise, Director Legal supported by other Directors of Media, share with the commission the findings Finance, Administration, HOD of works and other staff under the of the CRC assessment report and the Alternative Dispute resolution (ADR) of ISOPADEC with the cluster during an advocacy visit. Niger-Delta Transparency and Accountability Index, and the indicators that will be used to access the NDIs.

The advocacy visit was also used to introduce the PENDISA project to the commission to secure their buy in. Mrs. Okafor Elsie, Director Legal told the team that the commission just inaugurated the new Managing Director of ISOPADEC few hours before our meeting. (28 February 2018).

The Director expressed the commission’s preparedness to be assessed with the Niger-Delta Transparency indicators alongside other institutions and promised to make ISOPADEC website functional by the following week. The commission also wants ANEEJ to increase the number of staff to be trained on how to evaluate the Niger-Delta Transparency Index on the Dyntra platform to two staff, she also asked the International Desk Officer to work with ANEEJ and notify them when the website is eventually up. The advocacy meeting had 20 persons in attendance.

❖ Year 2 Project Committee Validation in 2 Niger Delta States (Edo & Abia )* LITE-Africa and ANEEJ team organized a one-day validation workshop in Aba, Abia state on 28th February,2018 and on 16th March,2018 in Benin City respectively. The workshops were organised to validate the report of the independent CSOs project monitoring exercise. The workshop also sensitized the participants on the importance of the validation exercise and the need to get their feedback on the report with a view to incorporating them into the CSOs report.

Key Findings of the report

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• All NDIs should collaborate and synergise their action plans in the various communities in the region and carry communities along in the implementation of their projects. • Consultative meetings with communities before project selection and execution is key. This way, they will implement more people-oriented programmes and afford the people a sense of ownership. • When projects are awarded, NDIs should carry out strict supervision and monitoring to ensure the projects get to the targets and are executed according to specifications. • An information centre is necessary at the Local government offices where the people can channel their complaints. • NDIs should set up monitoring teams for projects to be executed in order to ensure compliance to forestall abandoned or sub-standard projects. • State and Local governments should assess the capability of contractors and award contracts to people with integrity. • Repair and maintenance of projects should be carried out routinely. • There should be a mechanism in place to ensure sustainability of projects completed. Projects must be handed over to owners and clearly define roles and responsibilities. • Citizens and community leaders should be carried along in a participatory process before project implementation. The exercise provided the participants’ an opportunity to make their inputs on the reported projects status implemented in their communities by NDIs as one way of promoting transparency and Accountability in the report as well as the institutions. The participants were made to understand that this conflict sensitive approach adopted by LITE-Africa and ANEEJ was a proactive measure to avoid likely conflict that may arise from possible misrepresentations in the final report. In Abia state the participants were drawn from the communities where the assessment took place in the three senatorial zones of Abia Central, Abia South and Abia North in the three LG.A.s of; Umuahia North, Cross section participants during the Abia state validation meeting. Bende and Ukwa West. Their comments/inputs were largely corroborating the CSOs report. Twenty-two persons made up of traditional leaders; chiefs and village heads, chairmen of community development committees, and youth leaders and four CSO representatives attended the workshop.

In Edo state, twenty-five persons attended from Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North senatorial zones. Two CSOs representatives each from ANEEJ and LITE-Africa and one Media person from Observer Newspaper.

Participants key input includes: Edo Central - The feedback from Edo Central presented by Esene O. Francis, youth leader representing Opoji- Irrua; • Ikiago should be spelt as Ikinago

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• The construction of Ikinago/Iki road Opoji reported as in progress is abandoned • The construction of Major General Esekhagbe Road reported as Abandoned; the road was done from New Uromi Road and terminates by borehole junction in Agha, to that extent it was completed. • The Rehabilitation of Irrua Girls Gram Sch and provision of water; the borehole lasted for a brief moment before it stopped working and now it is not in use. The location is irrua and not EWU as reported. • Construction of Idumebolo road Ujemen at , ; captured as abandoned is completed to some extent, just a few meters to the Express road has not been completed • Construction of Arue road (Anenih street); captured as completed, a portion of the was done to Anenih house while the rest part has not been completed. Edo North - The feedback from Edo North presented by Dirisu Odion representing Iyakpi, South Ibie; • Renovation of General Hospital; reported as completed but is not in use ok • Construction of NDDC model comprehensive health center main building at Iyakpi captured as completed and not in use; is abandoned; the building was completed with no equipment before the building was later gutted by fire. • Provision of Solar street light as completed is not in use • Construction of Solar water reported as completed is abandoned as only the solar panel is visible in the site. Edo South - The feedback from Edo South presented by Bright Oniovokukwe representing is as follow; • Two of the local government spelt as Eghor and orhionwon was wrongly spelt. The correct spelling is and Orhionmwon. • The construction of Jemide drive off Goodwill RD, reflecting Ekpoma as the location is actually located in BENIN CITY • The construction of Solar water borehole at Egboko community reported as in- progress is actually delayed because it should have been completed according to the participants • The construction of Erediawa road by NDDC has been partially completed as NDDC stop where there is Erosion problem. Though this project is not captured in the report.

❖ Meeting with NDDC on validation of CSOs coalition project monitoring draft report in Port Harcourt, Rivers State*

On Wednesday May 15, 2018, LITE-Africa, ANEEJ and other members of the independent CSOs monitoring committee of NDDC projects facilitated a one-day meeting with the management of NDDC at the Dannic Hotel in Port Harcourt to validate the NDDC project monitoring draft report. The purpose of the meeting was to among other things; i) present the draft Independent CSOs project monitoring report to NDDC officials for validation before making it public, ii) enable the commission, get a first-hand update on the status of their projects as well as beneficiaries’’ feedback, and iii) serve as a follow up engagement with the new management of NDDC to consolidate on the gains made with the previous administration.

Key outcomes of the meeting include: • Commitment by NDDC to organize engagement meeting with CSOs across the nine Niger Delta States in the next few months, • NDDC commits to providing feedback on the draft report in the next two weeks. 14 | P a g e

• It was agreed that NDDC feedback will be included in the final publication of the independent CSOs Monitoring report. • ANEEJ and LITE-Africa also agreed to hold a national town hall on the final independent Monitoring report in Abuja and publicize the findings of the monitoring report. CSOs and NDDC also agree to jointly engage the federal government especially as 80% development funds now flows to the North East. • The commission affirmed that more than 80% of the projects captured in the report were implemented by NDDC.

Present at the workshop were the CSOs Coalition members, NDDC officials, SACE, CSOs and Media. NDDC was represented by top management staff including Mr. Okarevu Davies, Asst Director and Coordinator of partnership implementation, Dr. Princewill E., Director of Special Duties MD/CEO office; Mr. Patterson Ogon, Program Manager, Directorate of Research, planning and Statistics; and John Akpan, Technical Adviser to NDDC MD. LITE-Africa and ANEEJ teams were both led by the Executive Directors. A total of 28 persons attended the meeting including 36 per cent females and 25 per cent youths. NDDC feedback in signed hard copies has been incorporated into the CSOs report. ❖ One Day Periodic Cluster Review Meeting in Warri, Delta State.* LITE-Africa and cluster members held a periodic cluster review meeting on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at the Little Paradise Hotel and Suites in Warri, Delta State. The objectives of the meeting were to: • Share project success story, learnings, challenges and opportunity for further intervention • Review activities and strategies to ensure that activities are achieving objectives leading to desired outcome • Review strategy for advocacy engagements, share roles and responsibilities • Presentation of the CRC report to cluster Group picture of participants at the cluster-planning meeting members

Key outcome of the meeting was the Project progress reviewed in line with output and outcomes, and update of the project outcome harvester. A total of 13 persons attended the meeting. Women and youth constitute 46 per cent of the participants.

❖ Advocacy Engagement with the management of OSOPADEC in Akure, Ondo State. ** On Tuesday 26th June 2018, LITE-Africa, and her cluster members engaged the management of OSOPADEC at the OSOPADEC Office Complex in Akure, Ondo State, to follow-up on the earlier commitments made by the commission during the last advocacy visit which held on 5th December 2017. The meeting provided a platform for the team to make valuable recommendations, reinforce earlier commitments, and to also commend the leadership of the commission for the specific actions taken on some of the earlier commitments. The team also presented and discussed key findings of CRC assessment and presented to the commission copies of the new CRC report. Present at the

15 | P a g e meeting was the top management of the Commission, including the chairman, secretary and senior technical advisor. The Advocacy team also had in attendance representatives of Komuniti in Action Initiative, Ilaje Regional Development Council (RDC), Young Ambassadors for Development (YAD) and LITE-Africa. A total of 7 persons were in attendance, youth constitute 57 per cent of the total attendance.

Key outcomes of the engagement were the presentation by the chairman of the commission of how earlier commitments have translated into action; including updating of the commission’s Facebook and Twitter page which has items up to June, 2018 that includes scholarship and other educational support opportunities for people in the mandate area., but the commission is still working on posting pictures of projects and the budget. This will make information on the commission’s activities readily available to the citizenry. The budget and pictures of projects completed will be an evidence of transparency and Accountability by the commission. The commission has also increased consultation and citizens’ participation by holding two stakeholder meetings in 2018 where community members were given the opportunity to make contributions to the commission’s activities, project selection and implementation. The commission has also initiated implementation of the development coordination policy by championing the hosting of the Niger Delta Council meeting in 2017 which the Ministry of budget and economic planning is ordinarily empowered to do. The chairman disclosed that the commission took the initiative to ensure synergy between the various agencies in the region but identified the challenge of getting agencies like NDDC onboard. The Chairman of the commission further committed to pushing for greater synergy among the NDIs in the state.

❖ LITE-Africa and ANEEJ Engagements with Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC). ** To follow up on the commitments made by the commission during PENDISA I to ensure that commitments translate into action, LITE-Africa and ANEEJ paid an advocacy visit on July 5, 2018 toDelta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commissionn (DESOPADEC) when Chief Williams Makinde Managing Director/CEO committed to the following: Setting up and operating a functional website, the chairman acknowledged the importance of a website presence for the commission, he also intends to upload the commissions project activities to promote visibility, transparency and accountability. He stressed that the commission had a website, but it was not functional because his team have been working on moving the server to a permanent location. He then assured the team that in due time, the website would be up and running, “He promised to inform the public through public announcement and give out the website LITE- Africa and ANEEJ presenting the CRC and Tranparency Index address once it is complete. report to Chief williams Makinde, the managing director of DESOPADEC

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On the issue of abandoned projects, he said though the commission had been having budgetary constraint, they are however working assiduously to see how they can complete the abandoned projects within their mandate area. He noted that in 2016, 60% of their budget was allocated to the completion of abandoned projects and in 2017 there were no new projects at all:

“we didn’t do any new projects in 2017, we carried the old projects into the budget as directed by the governor”. (Quote by Chief Williams Makinde MD/CEO of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development commission (DESOPADEC) in Warri.

He added that projects like solar street lights and television viewing centers would remain abandoned because he did not feel television viewing centers were necessary for development and he cited the fact that installing solar street lights was too prone to vandalism as community members regularly stole the batteries. He then stressed that as a commission, they were placing much more focus on Landing jetty projects and school renovations.

On synergy with other commissions, the Managing Director said for now there were no physical meeting with the other commissions, but he made it a point to get his staff to look through the budgets of other commissions, so we could see what they were working on to avoid duplication. Although, he also identified that there were some lapses in this plan as his team sometimes missed somethings,

“we have not held formal meetings with them, but we look at each other’s work, we have a copy of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) and other commissions budgets, so I tell my people to scan through, though we may miss some,” he said. (Quote by Chief Williams Makinde-MD/CEO of DESOPADEC in Warri)

He equally promised to continue to push for coordination of the NDIs. The advocacy team emphasized the importance of effective coordination meetings amongst the NDIs to achieve the desired synergy that will check the current duplication of effort by the NDIs.

❖ One Day Annual Committee meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State* LITE-Africa and the NDDC Independent CSOs coalition members held an annual CSOs meeting on Thursday, July 19th, 2018 at the Aldgate Congress Resort, GRA Phase 111 Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This meeting was used to strengthen collaboration between CSOs and the Niger Delta Institutions (NDIs), review status of the Independent project monitoring report and develop new strategies for the committee to support the work of the NDIs. Key outcome of the meeting was the reviewed NDDC validation feedback on Presentation of the Draft project Monitoring Report by ANEEJ/LITE-Africa to NDDC the CSOs report and Officials agreement reached on 17 | P a g e providing additional corroborative evidence on the discrepancies between the CSOs report and NDDC feedback. For example, in Abia state, the emergency road repairs of Umuegwu Ugiri road, Igbere water scheme and Construction of Akwete Water Scheme projects were reported as abandoned and NDDC claimed otherwise. The CSO was to provide photos as evidence to further substantiate the claims A scanned copy of the comprehensive NDDC feedback is attached as annex. The challenges discussed includes the delay in submitting reports by CSOs. A total of 17 persons attended the meeting including the media.

❖ Combined Multi-Stakeholders Policy Conference on Citizens Report Card (CRC) and Transparency Index (TI) Findings/Niger Delta Institutions Learning Event in Benin City, Edo State ** This activity was originally planned to hold on July 26th 2018 in Port Harcourt Rivers State. The date and venue changed to accommodate SACE/PIND Niger Delta Learning Event planned to hold in Benin, Edo State on August 2, 2018 , The activity was expanded to increase participation of all SACE partners in the Niger Delta and targeted to capture learnings from the entire project. The theme of the learning event was: Participatory and Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta., - There was a panel discussion on the topic ‘Participatory and Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta’. The following persons were panelist in the discussion.

-Kolawole Banwo (CISLAC) - Panel Moderator -Mrs. Lauren Braide - Director Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs -Mrs. Onose Martha - Representative of CSO community -Dr. Peterson Ogon - Representative of NDDC -Tija Bolton (Policy Alert) - Representative of CSO community -Odoemela Alozie - Perm Secretary – ASOPADEC -Mafolabomi Wale - Director, OSOPADEC

The CRC and TI reports were also presented at the event. The question and answer sessions provided an opportunity for very robust discussions especially on the challenges of engaging the NDIs. A communique was developed and read at the end of the occasion, with the following key recommendations:

Presentation of the CRC and Transparency Index report during the NDI learning event in Benin on the 2nd of Aug.2018 • Communities, CSOs, the media and other stakeholders should utilize the Citizens Report Card (CRC) and Niger Delta Institutions Transparency and Acountability Index (NDITI) as tools for engaging with NDIs to improve their performance.

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• Niger Delta Institutions should ensure greater citizens participation in their budgetary and other decision-making processes. NDIs should publish and regularly update their websites with budgets and project performance reports, and utilize social media channels to update the public on their activities. • Development interventions by NDIs in the region should be based on participatory needs assessments and broad consultation with beneficiaries to enhance community ownership and sustainability. • The NDDC Act should be reviewed to incorporate provisions on citizens participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of projects. • Community representatives need to be non-partisan and non-transactional in their approach to facilitating development in their communities by putting NDIs to task on transparency and accountability. • Community stakeholders and civil society groups should speak with one voice and forge common platforms and collective agenda for engaging with NDIs. • NDIs should look into other intervention areas of comparative advantage, including economic livelihoods, environmental remediation and capacity building. • NDIs should utilize planning information by other stakeholders and data available and also work within their mandates to avoid duplication of efforts and conflict. • Coordination among NDIs and other development agencies is key to development and avoidance of waste of resources. Similarly, NDIs should prioritize engagement with CSOs in the region. • NDIs should carry out sensitization programs on their mandates and available feedback channels to enable citizen to engage with them appropriately. • Civil Society Organizations must consistently build their members capacity to generate evidence in order to ensure knowledge-based engagement with NDIs. LITE-Africa invited 25 stakeholders, selected from the communities and NDIs from the various states.

❖ NATIONAL DIALOGUE IN ABUJA

ANEEJ, the Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC) held a National Dialogue for legislative and policy reforms on extractive sector, participatory governance, development in the Niger Delta and Resource Management in . The session was held from September 17-18, 2018 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The theme of the Dialogue was ‘Harnessing Natural Resources for Sustainable Development in Nigeria. There were participants from the MNDA, Ministry of Petroleum Resources (MPR), Nigeria Extractive Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Open Government Partnership (OGP), Development Partners, State Oil Producing Area Development Commissions and Civil Society organizations. There were Panel Discussions and Group Work. The session made the following observations and recommendations:

1.6 OBSERVATIONS:

• Nigeria is still heavily dependent on Natural Resources for revenue for financing her development and will for the foreseeable future.

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• Nigeria’s dependence on oil revenue is not sustainable as global developments show that the world is moving away from oil which will impact negatively on Nigeria’s revenue profile and sustainability • The Policy reforms in the oil sector has been slow on implementation and still lags behind in the area of legislation and institutionalization.

The Niger Delta is still not benefiting maximally from the revenue that flow into the region in spite of several interventions and multiple institutions put in place to achieve development. Poor Coordination among the Niger Delta Institutions (NDIs) continue to result in inefficiency, wastage of resources and high incidence of uncompleted and abandoned projects, The level of citizens’ participation and inclusion in projects selection, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in the Niger Delta is relatively low. The multi-stakeholder approach to development where civil society and government collaborate in agenda setting and policy implementation has proved to be useful and beneficial in promoting transparency, accountability and development.

1.7 RECOMMENDATIONS:

• The Federal Government should develop a post-oil development agenda that prioritizes diversification of revenue streams and implement such diligently. • The Federal Government should expedite reforms in the oil sector and ensure that the necessary legislations are put in place before the end of this session of the National Assembly. • The Office of the Vice-President should ensure a holistic and consultative approach to the development of the Niger Delta region in development and implantation of the new Niger Delta Vision. • The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs should be empowered, resource and capacitated to effectively coordinate all aspects of the institutions involved in development activities in the Niger Delta region to ensure cohesion and prevent the wastages resulting from project overlap and duplications. • The Niger Delta Institutions should actively engage the Niger Delta Transparency Index and Citizens’ Report Card already developed and being deployed as entry to deepen citizens’ participation and inclusion in their operations.

1.8 RESOLUTIONS

• To continue to collaborate to promote multi stakeholder approach to development both at the national and state levels and protect the civic space. • To sustain advocacy for the implementation of all ongoing reforms in the extractive sector and for effectiveness of the Niger Delta Institutions. • To sustain engagement to demand the implementation and realization of all commitments and ongoing initiatives by the respective MDAs. These include the Commitments in the OGP National Action Plan, remedial action from NEITI Reports and the development and uploading of an online Dashboard of Projects implemented in the Niger Delta Region by the MNDA and MPR. The National dialogue had 42 persons in attendance including 21 males and 21 females. The attendance was made up of 32 adults and 8 youths representing 81% and 19 % respectively.

PUBLIC AWARENESS

o Hosting of twitter conference with the topic “Duplication of projects by the NDIs”:

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LITE-Africa hosted a twitter conference on November 2, 2017 with the topic “Duplication of projects by the Niger Delta Institutions” The conference reached over 48,572 persons with over 100,000 impressions. It served as an avenue to educate and bring to the notice of the public, the adverse developmental effects of project duplication. Citizens were also sensitized on the need to begin to engage and participate in the activities of the NDIs in order to ensure effective resource management by development agencies in the Niger Delta region.

o Hosting of twitter conference with the topic “Poor Citizen Participation in the activities of the Niger Delta Institutions’’:

Hosting of twitter conference with the topic “Poor Citizen Participation in the activities of the Niger Delta Institutions on November 30th, 2017’’ The conference reached over 34,436 with the impression of over 178,164.The twitter conference drew people’s attention to the dire need for effective citizens participation in the activities of the NDIs in order to ensure sustainable development and prudent resource management by development agencies in the region. Demographically, 20 per cent of the participants were female, while 80 per cent were male.

o Printing of 500 copies of CRC report. * LITE-Africa produced 500 copies of the CRC assessment report that has been developed in infographic format. The report is already being utilized as evidence-based tool in the advocacy engagement by cluster members. The CRC report has also been placed on LITE-Africa’s website (https://www.lite-africa.org/crc final art.pdf) and social media platforms. Having the CRC report in a public domain provides citizens and policy makers unhindered access to verifiable information on the activities of the NDIs. The findings of the CRC as citizen voice is already being amplified through radio programme and social media.

o Printing of 200 copies of NDDC Independent CSOs report.* LITE-Africa produced 200 copies of the Independent CSOs Project Monitoring report and was presented at the National Dialogue in Abuja-September 18th, 2018. The report will be utilized as evidence-based tool in the advocacy engagement by cluster members. The CRC and CSOs report have also been placed on LITE-Africa’s website and social media platforms. Having the CRC and CSOs report in a public domain provides citizens and policy makers unhindered access to verifiable information on the activities of the NDIs. The findings of the CRC and CSOs report as citizen voice is already being amplified through radio programme and social media. Only 200 copies were printed as against 300 copies because the number of pages increased from 60 to 111 which lead to cost increase and there is no more money to fund it.

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o Radio Programme To sensitize citizens on the mandates of the NDIs and to amplify citizen’s voice on the activities of the NDIs, LITE-Africa embarked on live radio discussion programme in Delta and Imo States respectively. Seven episodes each were held at Quest FM 93.1 Ughelli Delta State and Heartland FM 100.5 Owerri Imo State. These fourteen episodes of the radio programs in the two states have reached an estimated number of 17,756, 047 persons based on the coverage of the radio station. This number also represent the 2006 national population figures of these states namely: Imo, Abia, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers respectively. This programme has equally Cross section of resource persons during the Episode three of the provided a platform for citizens to radio programme at Quest FM 93.1 Ughelli Delta State provide feedback and demand for improved service delivery from the NDIs.

All the topics were carefully selected to reflect the outcomes of the interactions with citizens and the NDIs over the course of the PENDISA project and researches and assessment like Citizen Report Card carried out by the project.

Each episode of the radio programme had 3 resource persons, resource persons were mostly selected from LITE-Africa staff, CSOs coalition members, cluster members and groups like the People Living with Disability (PWDs). This array of selection of participants made the interactions during the programme quite robust, educating and engaging. The inclusion of PWDs helped to ensure that no aspect of the society was left out in the radio programme design and implementation. For every episode the programme guide were made available to the resource persons on time as well as the station presenter and the pre-session discussions got everyone fully prepared for the topic which ensured a smooth presentation.

Flyers were equally developed on each topic and circulated through the social media pages to get stakeholders to participate in the programme. Each episode was accompanied by live tweet charts and discussions of the topic. The radio program ran from June 27 to August 9, 2018.

2. OUTSTANDING ACTIVITIES

➢ LITE-Africa and ANEEJ Engagements with Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja. ➢ LITE-Africa and ANEEJ Engagements with Abia State Oil & gas commission (ASOPADEC) ➢ State Level Advocacy –Akwa Ibom State. (2017 & 2018. ➢ One Consultative Engagement with New Niger Delta Commission (NDDC) Leadership in Port Harcourt, Rivers State . ➢

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3. DESCRIPTION OF ANY ACTIVITIES NOT COMPLETED

• The engagements with ASOPADEC and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs scheduled for August and September 2018 did not take place as we did not receive any confirmation for the planned visits from the NDIs concerned. • One Consultative Engagement with New Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Leadership in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. LITE-Africa submitted letters for this advocacy engagement to NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt but did not secore appointment for the visit. This did not impact on the overall goal of the project as the engagement was meant to get the buyin of the new NDDC leadership to the LITE-Africa advocacy project and subsequent engagengement like the meeting with NDDC to validate the Independent CSO project monitoring report was had management officials of NDDC participating and they gave feedback on the report which indicated their buy-in was achieved eventually. • State Level Advocacy –Akwa Ibom State. (2017 & 2018. This activity did not take place because Akwa Ibom did not have Oil and Gas Producing Areas Commission). The non- completion of this activity had no impact on the overall goal of the project because the aim of the state level advocacy was to engage the state oil and gas commission on the CSO independent projct monitoring report on abandoned projects by NDIs in the state and the only NDIs` that executed projects there was the NDDC which had been provided feedback to the report. • Joint Press Conference with Aneej to share findings of CRC and TI report (2017). This was an activity planned to be hosting by ANEEJ with us participating. But we never got an invitation that the event took place and if it held we did not participate. The aim of this activity was achieved at the share the findings of Citizen Report Card (CRC) and Transparency Index (TI) reports with the media and this was accomplished at the Niger Delta Institutions Learning event held August 2, 2018. At the event, the findings of the CRC and TI was shared with the stakeholders and the media, communities and CSOs were urged to use the reports of the tools for engaging NDIs to improve their performance.

LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 CHALLENGES

• Lack of financial support to cluster organizations ‘affected our support meeting with cluster members since PENDISA do not fund such activity. The cluster members were not able to meet as much as is needed to deliberate on the cluster issues. • Two selected communities for CRC assessment in Imo state Oguta and Asaa were replaced. Oguta community was replaced with Aborchi community because of the sudden travel of their traditional ruler whom they insisted needs to be present for the assessment to happen. Other leaders of the community were not sure when he will be back. Asaa community was replaced with Obuomadike due to leadership tussle in the community that may endanger the life of enumerators. • Change in leadership of NDIs and GMoU bodies makes sustained engagement difficult. The change in leadership of these institutions brings with it some uncertainties of the new management buy in to the project. For instance, in the case of NDDC it took a while to get the new management to buy in to the project. • Some of the NDIs level of response to citizen engagement still requires further coordination and sustained engagement. Some NDIs have not fully accepted CSOs as partners in progress,

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sometimes they feel they are being probed. This will help to improve responsiveness within the agencies if CSOs are accepted and engaged adequately.

3.2 LESSONS LEARNED

• The cluster model promotes greater collaboration among CSOs and stakeholders in a constructive engagement. This model provides opportunity for harnessing of different ideas that helps the cluster to achieve its objectives. • Sharing of roles and responsibilities among cluster members has contributed immensely to making the cluster more active and responsive. Cluster members are now able to take up assignments, complete it and report back to the cluster. • The opening of group twitter handle for the cluster have helped to improve communication among cluster members.

3.3 STRENGTHS:

• The collaboration between LITE-Africa and ANEEJ and their leadership role in the NDDC independent CSOs project monitoring committee. • Copies of the CRC report produced at the first and second phase of the project continue to provide a valuable tool for engaging the NDIs, government and other policy makers. • The SACE funding of the activities of the NDDC independent CSOs project monitoring committee has provided a veritable platform for CSOs to engage NDDC on coordinated and effective service delivery. • The cluster model is a great strength in the SACE project.

3.4 OPPORTUNITY:

• The ongoing anti-corruption campaign and investigation of alleged corrupt officials from the region by the present administration provides an easy entry for citizens’ demand for more effective institutions in the region. • The presidency has mandated the vice president Yemi Osinbajo to preside over the special presidential delegation tasked with resolving the crisis in the Niger Delta. At the town hall meeting in Edo state copies of the CRC report was presented by ANEEJ to the Vice President, which provides opportunity for further engagement at the top level of government. • The Vice President statement and that of NDDC statement to contractors on project abandonment also provides and easy entry for demand for engagement on the cluster issues.

3.5 GRANT SUCCESS STORIES

➢ Our engagement in the SACE projects has enhanced the capacity of our cluster members to change approach on advocacy engagement and the CRC tool as an evidence-based advocacy has increased government attention towards the completion of abandoned projects by the NDIs. For example, two water projects in Awoye and Molutehin in Ilaje LGA of Ondo state that was abandoned for over 6 years are now being completed. ➢ Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo commended the CRC report; commits to curb abandoned projects in the Niger Delta. This happened during the town hall meeting in Edo State where the Executive director of ANEEJ presented the report to him.

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➢ For the first time NDDC provided written feedback on validation of the report of the NDDC Independent CSOs project monitoring report in the Nine Niger Delta States. This demonstrate greater engagement. ➢ Through the advocacy efforts of LITE-Africa and ANEEJ, OSOPADEC has launched a website from where they disseminate information on the activities of the commission. The website can be accessed through this link www.osopadec.gov.ng This website will be used to disseminate information on the commission’s activities and its budget which help to promote the visibility, transparency and accountability of the commission. How

➢ The engagement of NDDC management at the state in Delta also witnessed a huge success which saw the participation of the state commissioner and member of governing council at the SACE cluster coaching and issue learning workshop in Warri. The engagement also led to the request from the state chapter of the commission to facilitate the review of the independent CSOs project monitoring report. The reviewing of the report will help NDDC to understand the status of their development projects and issues arising from those projects and ways to deal with it. This will go a long way to improve the transparency and effectiveness of the commission.

➢ The increased ongoing demand for effective NDIs by a number of marginalized communities and additional CSOs in four states of the Niger delta is also a huge success witnessed within the reporting period. ➢ LITE-Africa’s engagement by PIND to provide additional support via in-kind funds for an additional nine months to support four organisations who were also SACE partners. The purpose of the engagement is to mentor the four organisations on institutional strengthening of their systems and processes in preparation for receipt of new funding from other donors’ agencies. ➢ NDDC issues an executive memo on the need to: 1. Set up monitoring teams for projects to be executed in order to ensure compliance to forestall abandoned or substandard projects 2. Assess the capability of contractors and award contracts to people with integrity 3. Ensure repairs and maintenance of projects to be carried out routinely 4. Put a mechanism in place to ensure project sustainability after completion 5. Involve Citizens and community leaders in the participatory process before project conceptualization and implementation

Quotes: “Ugujiahu/Culvet road in Abacheke Egbema that was abandoned since 2004: serious work is going on there now. Thanks to the recent assessment and advocacy carried out by LITE-Africa. I on behalf of His Royal Majesty Eze Barr. G.H.O Ariaga (Nze obi of Egbema Kingdom) commend your gallant effort towards this developmental stride, we are happy to be associated with LITE- Africa.’’ Nze Obi of Egbema Kingdom Ohaji/ Egbema Local Govt Area,Imo State

FINANCIAL

DESCRIPTION OF GRANT ACTIVITY FUNDING –

The original budget reviewed by SACE and approved by USAID was for ₦32,743,627.50. The grant in addition to funding the activities discussed above, also contributed to the payment of staff salary

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of key personnel of LITE Africa and contributed to other direct costs like office security, communication (internet and telephone) stationery and bank charges.

The award was 100% funded by the SACE project; however, ODC was charged based on annual cash flow for LITE Africa and because the SACE project accounts for 25% of the annual cash flow for LITE Africa during the period of implementation, 25% of monthly expendituire on ODC was charged to the grant. The grant was used to fund seven key personnel at various levels of effort, other direct costs to include internet, office security, activity delivery of all the activities listed above and the procurement of a fire proof safe and a laptop. The final allowed total expenditure as illustrated in the table below is ₦26,309,822.31.

SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY COSTS AND PAYMENTS STANDARD GRANT

Major Line Item Chemonics Total Advanced Total Variance Action Grant Budget Liquidated Required Commitment Salaries ₦7,896,396.55 ₦7,733,004.55 ₦7,733,004.55 - Amount to be Activity Delivery ₦16,720,142.00 ₦15,112,305.36 ₦16,431,339.50 ₦ (1,319,034.14) Reimbursed to Other Direct Costs ₦1,800,945.90 ₦1,755,478.26 ₦1,755,478.26 - LITE Africa Goods & Materials ₦390,000.00 ₦390,000.00 ₦390,000.00 - ₦1,319,034.14 Total ₦26,807,484.45 ₦24,990,788.17 ₦26,309,822.31 ₦ (1,319,034.14)

3.6 EXPLANATION OF HIGHER OR LOWER THAN ANTICIPATED COSTS

Uncompleted activities listed and discussed above did not have negative effect on the project. There were no individual costs that were more than 10% higher in the approved grant budget.

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