The Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Bashir Achida, has called for increased synergy among supporting institutions, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure development in the state.

Mr Achida made the call while declaring open a one-day coordination meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration among MDAs on Wednesday in Sokoto.

He said the meeting was aimed at breaking bureaucratic silos, aligning sectorial plans and ensuring that budgetary provisions translated into real impact for citizens.

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among MDAs which he described as key to effective development planning and service delivery.

The commissioner identified synergy, data-driven planning, resource optimisation, sustainability and accountability as critical, stressing the need to eliminate duplication and strengthen monitoring, evaluation and data-sharing.

He said there was need to embrace evidence-based policies to ensure prudent use of scarce resources, and appreciated UNICEF, the EU and other partners for their support in health, education, social protection among.

“I urge all heads and directors to strengthen their monitoring, evaluation and data-sharing mechanisms so that we can target the vulnerable population accurately.

“Synergy, sustainability and accountability are most effective when backed by strong domestic distributional means which support enhanced evidence-based decision-making for good governance and service delivery,” Mr Achida said.

He further expressed appreciation to the EU and UNICEF for ongoing investments aimed at enhancing human capital with particular focus on health, education and social protection.

Also speaking, the Head of UNICEF, Sokoto Field Office, Mr Michael Juma, appreciated the administration’s cooperation and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the state.

Represented by Social Policy Specialist, Isah Ibrahim, Mr Juma described poor coordination among MDAs as responsible for higher multidimensional poverty indices in the state.

He said the EU in collaboration with UNICEF was focused on enhancing development coordination aimed at optimising planning, budgeting, coordination, implementation and monitoring processes.

A cross-section of participants called for the effective implementation of critical initiatives supported by donors and UN agencies, including the medium-term expenditure framework.

Others are the medium-term sector strategy and various budgetary measures designed to combat poverty and address developmental challenges within the state.

The participants included the commissioners for budget and economic planning, health, basic and secondary education, humanitarian affairs, social welfare, and two special advisers.

Others were 17 permanent secretaries, 13 directors and executive secretaries from state government agencies, boards and commissions.

 (NAN)