“This restructuring mission is therefore not a retreat from our commitments; it is an exercise in operational pragmatism and strategic consolidation. It provides the technical room to recalibrate results frameworks, refine verification protocols and establish targets that are both ambitious and attainable within the implementation window,” she said.
She stressed that the relationship between approved government expenditure and actual service delivery must be strengthened through better coordination among ministries of planning and finance, education and health ministries, State Universal Basic Education Boards and State Primary Health Care Development Agencies.
According to her, “improving collaboration among these institutions would strengthen accountability throughout the budget cycle and ensure that financial resources produce tangible benefits for citizens”.
The two officials also highlighted the importance of aligning the programme’s verification and disbursement processes with conditions at the state level. Under the programme’s results-based financing structure, disbursements are linked to the achievement and verification of agreed reform indicators. Consequently, delays or difficulties in meeting verification requirements can affect the flow of funds to participating states.
The technical mission is expected to work with the World Bank team to resolve these challenges and ensure that verified reform milestones translate into timely financial disbursements.
