FG, World Bank Partner on $500 Million Programme to Strengthen Education, Health

The federal government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has commenced the implementation of the 500 million dollar Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity–Governance (HOPE-GOV) Programme.

The national coordinator, HOPE-Governance Programme, Assad Hassan, said this on Tuesday in Abuja, while briefing the permanent secretary, ministry of budget and economic planning, Deborah Odoh, about the programme.

The HOPE-Governance Programme is domiciled in the ministry of budget and economic planning.

According to Mr Hassan, the 500 million dollar credit facility is aimed at improving financial and human resource management in basic education and primary healthcare.

He said that the funding had two components: a programme for result and an investment project financing component.

“About 480 million dollars is earmarked to incentivise the states to achieve the Disbursement Linked Results in the two sectors.

“The 20 million dollars Investment Project Financing component has three key areas for implementation.

“One is programme coordination, the second is verification of results at the state level as well as monitoring and evaluation, and third is technical assistance for implementing agencies,” he said.

The coordinator identified the programme’s main focus areas as increasing financing for the two sectors.

Mr Hassan said that it enhanced transparency and accountability in budgeting and audit, and supported the recruitment of teachers and primary healthcare workers to address manpower gaps.

He said that all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had expressed interest in participating, adding that Subsidiary Agreements had been dispatched for signing.

He also highlighted the Disbursement Linked Indicators to be tracked by the programme and appraised by independent verification agents before funds are released to the states.

Providing a historical background, the national coordinator said that the World Bank approved the HOPE-GOV Programme on September 26, 2024, following the successful negotiation of the financing agreement in August 2024.

Mr Hassan said that the federal executive council approved the programme in February.

“The Financing Agreement was countersigned in April, and the programme was declared effective in September,” he said.

In her remarks, the permanent secretary pledged the ministry’s support to ensure that the programme met its objectives.

Ms Odoh commended the HOPE-GOV Programme for the achievements recorded within its short period of implementation.

(NAN)