Delta Inaugurates HOPE-GOV Committees, Eyes Top Ranking in World Bank-Backed Reform Programme ~ Truth Reporters

By Nelson Egware 

The Delta State Government has inaugurated the Steering and Technical Committees for the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity-Governance (HOPE-GOV) Programme, charging members to ensure the state emerges among the best-performing participants in the World Bank-backed initiative.

Speaking during the inauguration at Government House, Asaba, on Wednesday, the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, said the committees were constituted with the approval of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to drive the implementation of the five-year governance reform programme in the state.

He explained that the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity-Governance (HOPE-GOV) Programme, launched in September 2024, would run until June 30, 2029, and is funded through a 500 million US dollar World Bank Programme-for-Results (PforR) financing arrangement.

According to Onyeme, the programme is designed to strengthen governance systems in Nigeria's basic education and primary healthcare sectors through improved public financial management, enhanced human resource administration, and greater transparency and accountability in public expenditure.

He noted that the inclusion of commissioners overseeing education, health and local government affairs on the Steering Committee reflected the programme's strategic focus on improving service delivery in critical sectors.

The Deputy Governor said HOPE-GOV complements the broader reform initiatives of HOPE-EDU, which seeks to expand access to quality basic education, and HOPE-PHC, aimed at strengthening primary healthcare delivery.

He explained that the reforms are intended to address systemic weaknesses by ensuring efficient allocation and management of public resources, timely recruitment and retention of teachers and healthcare workers, and prompt publication of government data to deepen public confidence.

Onyeme added that the programme builds on the gains of the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme by extending reforms across the entire public financial management cycle, from planning and budgeting to implementation, reporting and oversight.

He said participation in HOPE-GOV aligns with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's MORE Agenda, both of which prioritise transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.

According to him, the expected outcomes include improved access to quality education and healthcare services, stronger governance structures, sustainable institutional reforms and more efficient public spending with direct benefits for citizens.

"This is the mandate entrusted to us as members of these committees, and we must work collectively to ensure the programme succeeds for the benefit of Deltans," Onyeme said.

Responding on behalf of members, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, expressed confidence that the committees would deliver on their mandate, describing members as experienced, committed and result-oriented.

The Steering Committee is chaired by the Deputy Governor and comprises the Commissioners for Economic Planning, Finance, Health, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Technical Education, Higher Education and Local Government Affairs, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, serves as Secretary.

The Technical Committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Economic Planning and includes Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Finance, Health, Primary, Secondary, Technical and Higher Education, the Directorate of Local Government Affairs, the Offices of the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service and the Deputy Governor, with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning, serving as Secretary.