By OYINTUTU OYINKOLADE

The World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Programme, will disburse 27 million dollars as performance-based incentives to 20 states that achieved the Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs).

The National Coordinator of the HOPE Governance Programme, Dr Assad Hassan, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday during a retreat for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, and Directors of Budget and Planning.

A statement on the outcome of the retreat was made available to newsmen by Mr Joe Mutah, Communications Officer HOPE Governance Programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports HOPE Governance Programme is a 500 million dollar World Bank-supported initiative domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

It aims to improve financing for basic education and primary healthcare, promote transparency and accountability, and strengthen the recruitment, deployment and performance management of teachers and healthcare workers.

In the statement, Hassan said the disbursement followed recommendations of the Interim Independent Verification Agent (IVA), which assessed states’ performance against the Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs).

He said DLR 2.1 covers adoption of comprehensive guidelines for preparing and submitting consolidated Basic Education work plans by March 31, 2025.

Hassan said DLR 2.2 relates to adoption of comprehensive guidelines for preparing and submitting consolidated Primary Health Care work plans by March 31, 2025.

According to him, DLR 2.3 requires local governments to adopt harmonised budget guidelines and a chart of accounts.

The coordinator added that DLR 4.1 focuses on publication of the 2025 Citizens Budget for Basic Education and Primary Health Care by Feb. 28, 2025.

Hassan said Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Yobe would receive 1.5 million dollars each for achieving DLR 2.1.

He said the same five states would also receive 1.5 million dollars each for meeting DLR 2.2.

According to him, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kano, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe will receive 500,000 dollars each for achieving DLR 2.3.

He said Abia, Plateau, Bayelsa, Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ondo and Yobe would receive 500,000 dollars each for DLR 4.1.

Hassan said other participating states were ineligible because they missed deadlines, failed to meet required criteria or did not publish results on official state websites.

He identified poor institutional coordination as a major challenge affecting states’ performance and undermining programme ownership and sustainability.

Hassan said the Interim Verification Agent was concluding the second phase of Year Zero verification, expected to be completed by July 2026.

He said the programme aims to improve utilisation of federal and state funds for Primary Health Care and Basic Education.

According to him, it also seeks to strengthen transparency, accountability and monitoring of intergovernmental transfers and expenditure in both sectors.

He said the programme would enhance implementation of coordinated annual plans and address staffing gaps through recruitment and deployment of teachers and health workers.

Hassan said preparations had begun for a capacity-building action plan to provide technical support to states and improve programme performance. (NAN)

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