‘Lack Of Subvention Impedes MDGs Schemes’

An official of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Cross River, Mrs Theresa Ogeyi, says delay in remitting funds is impeding the implementation of programmes in the state.

Ogeyi, MDGs Technical Assistant in-charge of the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) in Yala Local Government Area of the state, disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen in Calabar on Sunday.

She also said that the delay in the release of tool kits and operational vehicles had stalled facility verification tour of areas where MDGs projects and programmes were located in the state.

“Unresolved V-sat issues which deprived us of early access to the use of our local government area data, was also another challenge, among other factors militating against MDGs schemes in the  state,’’ she stated.

Ogeyi explained that as part of the implementation process, the technical committee had met with the Project Support Unit and other relevant partners in the state.

“We have also carried out capacity building workshops for technical team on relevant areas such as health and education policy, use of data, Information Technology (IT), public expenditure and program management.

“Development and costing of MDG compliant LGA development plans; drafting of local government background information resource profile and opening of the LGA MDGs special project account.

“We have also opened the local government Area MDGs operational account and completed and submitted the local government MDGs project application for 2011,’’ Ogeyi added.

She, therefore, stressed the need for wider advocacy and sensitisation programme across the local government area by the state project support unit and other relevant partners before the full commencement of the project.

Ogeyi said that the advocacy programme would help to create more awareness in the various local government areas in the state.

“This will help to create the necessary awareness among the local government area officials and the larger community.’’