The Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) program in Gombe State convened for an exit meeting following the Independent Verification Agent’s (IVA) assessment of project implementation across the state.
A statement signed by Hauwa Abubakar Jijji Communication officer SURWASH said the meeting brought together key implementing agencies, including the Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency (GOSEPA), Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, and the Gombe State Water Board.
In his welcome address, the Program Coordinator Erg Usman A Aliyu represented by the Sanitation officer of the program Umar Kwami expressed appreciation to the IVA team for their diligence and professionalism throughout the verification exercise, nothing that the assessment, which involved field visits and document reviews, was essential in ensuring transparency and accountability in the submission of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs).
He pointed out that this process is critical to strengthening service delivery and ensuring that reported achievements reflect actual impact on communities.
Presenting the findings, the IVA Mr Gashion Nahum Kutyil acknowledged notable progress recorded under the SURWASH program, particularly in the provision of water supply infrastructure and improved sanitation facilities in both urban and rural areas.
However, he also identified discrepancies in some of the DLI submissions by implementing agencies. According to the report, certain projects reported as completed are fully verified on-site, while inconsistencies were observed between submitted documentation and field realities.
The IVA emphasized the need for improved data management, accurate reporting, and stronger coordination among agencies to ensure that all claims meet verification standards.
Responding to the observations, representatives of the implementing agencies acknowledged the gaps and reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the issues raised. They cited challenges such as difficult terrain, delays in project execution, and documentation lapses but assured stakeholders of corrective measures.
In his closing remarks, the Acting Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Belinda Eman Elisha described the verification exercise as a valuable learning process rather than a fault-finding mission,
Saying that the findings presented today provide us with an opportunity to strengthen our systems and improve the credibility of our reporting adding that we will be committed to working with all agencies to address the identified gaps and enhance overall program performance.
The SURWASH program, supported by the World Bank, aims to improve access to sustainable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services across participating states in Nigeria.
The exit meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to ensure accuracy in DLI reporting and to sustain progress toward achieving the program’s objectives in Gombe State.