By Abdullahi Musa (abdullahimusa849@yahoo.com)
Nigeria’s governance landscape has often been characterized by delays in project execution, a lack of coherence among various government agencies, and inadequate monitoring of government initiatives. These issues have led to missed opportunities, project failures, and public dissatisfaction. Recognizing these challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prioritized establishing a Central Coordination delivery unit that would centralize and streamline the oversight of critical government initiatives, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and with the intended impact.
Coordinating and monitoring government programs and projects is critical, ensuring that resources are deployed optimally, and projects are aligned with national development goals. This strategic approach has led to a marked improvement in project implementation timelines and overall efficiency.
The head of the Central Coordination Delivery Unit (CDCU) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on policy Coordination Hadiza Bala Usman who spoke in Abuja at the public demonstration of the citizens’ delivery tracker in April, said President Bola Tinubu made a promise to allow citizens give feedback to the government.
She said the launch of the application is in line with the fulfillment of the President’s promise.
“You may recall President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise at the cabinet retreat for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries, and top government functionaries held in November 2023, that the federal government will strengthen the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) and ensure that citizens are an integral part of the monitoring and performance management process of the government,” Bala-Usman said.
“I am pleased to inform you that this promise has been delivered as the upgraded Citizens’ Delivery Tracker App, which will enable all citizens to view the deliverables and key performance indicators for all ministries and give their assessments on the performance of each of the indicators, goes live today.
“The Citizens’ Delivery Tracker is an application that allows citizens to view the priority programmes and projects of the Federal Government on their devices.
“We upgraded this application through consultations with a wide spectrum of stakeholders, and it is now ready for use.
“The CDCU has also developed a Delivery Reporting Framework and Template, to accurately assess and report the performance of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
“We are adopting international best practices and utilizing globally recognized performance indicators and benchmarks to assess the performance of MDAs in the implementation of government priority programmes, projects, and policies.”
In a significant move to bolster his ministry’s performance in its national communication strategies as outlined by the Central Coordination delivery unit, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Fnipr, has signed performance bonds with the heads of various agencies and parastatals under his ministry. This strategic initiative, undertaken during a one-day retreat on presidential priorities and ministerial deliverables in Abuja, is designed to ensure that all arms of the ministry are aligned in promoting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Addressing the directors and agency heads present at the retreat, Minister Idris underscored the importance of their roles in effectively communicating the successes of the administration’s initiatives. He emphasized that the retreat was crucial for fostering a deep understanding of the responsibilities attached to their roles as delivery officers within the ministry.
“Since the advent of President Tinubu’s administration, there has been a structured agenda aimed at achieving the Renewed Hope Initiative. This initiative involves all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and is closely monitored by the Central Results Delivery and Coordinating Unit (CRDCU) in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). You, as heads or delivery officers, are tasked with the responsibility of delivering our results to this office. This retreat is organized to ensure that we understand this responsibility,” Idris stated.
He also highlighted the significance of the performance bond, which he and the Permanent Secretary had earlier signed with the President. The bond serves as a commitment to fulfilling the ministry’s mandate, a commitment that the minister is extending to the heads of parastatals.
“The Permanent Secretary has already involved directors in this commitment process. Today, I plan to have the heads of parastatals sign the performance bond too, ensuring that every level of our ministry is dedicated to this mission,” Idris added.
The Minister also elaborated on the critical role that public information organs and departments within the ministry play in shaping public perception. He stressed the need for these entities to be well-versed in the government’s efforts to renew hope, particularly concerning various government interventions in the country.
“Understanding these efforts is essential if we are to communicate them successfully to the public. The government is not resting on its oars regarding infrastructure and social projects across the country, and we must ensure that these achievements are effectively communicated,” Idris emphasized.
The minister expressed his gratitude to Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, for her dedication and visibility to her role. He further commended the ongoing efforts of her team at the CRDCU, acknowledging their critical role in tracking and coordinating the administration’s delivery of promises.
This retreat and the signing of performance bonds mark a renewed commitment within the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to align with the broader goals of the Tinubu administration, ensuring that the message of progress and hope reaches every corner of the nation.
During a technical session at the retreat, Mr. Esege Ebei Esege, Coordinator Central Delivery Unit (CCDU) said that the delivery unit has played a pivotal role in ensuring the efficient implementation of government policies and programs of government.
He emphasized the global trend of utilizing delivery units to enhance policy execution. He noted that countries across continents, including Asia, the Middle East, America, and Africa, have successfully adopted this approach.
“The CCDU is a strategic tool for managing and monitoring the implementation of activities with significant impact on ministerial performance,” Mr. Esege explained. “Our goal is to align our efforts with the President’s priorities, track progress, identify challenges, and develop solutions to achieve our targets by 2027.”
The coordinator highlighted the importance of accountability and problem-solving in the unit’s mandate. “The delivery unit ensures public officers are held accountable for their performance,” he said. “We address bottlenecks hindering the implementation of government policies, projects, and programs through capacity building and strategic interventions.”
By strengthening the capacity of public officers and employing data-driven approaches, the CCDU aims to optimize resource utilization and deliver tangible results for the Nigerian people.
The CDCU has the potential to significantly transform the delivery of public services and the implementation of government initiatives in Nigeria. By centralizing coordination and fostering accountability, the unit aims to address the inefficiencies that have plagued Nigeria’s governance for decades and transform the country into prosperity.
Abdullahi Musa writes from Abuja
