Transcript Slide 1

Assessing Capacity Enhancement for Local Government
and Civil Society: Perceptions of the Niger Delta
by Bill Knight
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To differing extents State and Local Governments (and most people) have
little (some ‘zero’) capacity / interest in investing and tracking funding
efficiently, transparently and productively. All funding is targeted by ‘Benefit
Captors’ (some violent) who prefer to ‘share and enjoy’ at the expense of
others. Local Government, especially, is an ‘extractive industry’ of a sort.
Government training institutions have been neglected and are essentially
dormant/ineffectual. Such training workshops as there are (funded by
different groups) tend to be repetitive, to target the same people at the top
and have little impact on the bottom. Training tends to be theory rather than
experience based. One (only?) exception is PNI’s ISD and the “living
university”.
The standard practice in reporting all kinds of government and much of civil
society’s activity (including capacity development) is to create illusions that
will generate (more) funding.
As for measuring other economic, social, or environmental impacts of EI,
there is little reliable data available to measure anything. For many
consultants, field work is anathema: ‘cut and paste’ plagiarism and spin rule.
Niger Delta: Near total lack of local government & institutions /corruption
rife/ little understanding of rights and responsibilities; resulted in underdevelopment & conflict which 2 complementary models seek to reverse.
Partnering model 1 has already created limited but successful, multiple, multi-sectored partnering in 3 Local
Government Areas; helped bring about development & peace. Each has had their own attendant difficulties:
multiple, but limited available funding, different stakeholder agenda and commitments, as well as different
requirements for accounting & reporting.
Taxation and/or
resource sharing
initiatives
f). Private Sector (including Oil & Gas).
Direct Contribution
PNI Nigeria Partnering
model for Sustainable
Community Development
Development
e). International & bilateral aid & development agency
Purpose:
To
Empower
contribution"whole communities" to leverage
Programme
d). Federal Government
Agencies (NDDC)
funding from
funding
from stakeholders
andDevelopment
to kick-start
sustainable
multiple
State Government Development
Initiatives
community-led, c).stake-holder
partnered
development
stakeholders
b). Local Government
Development
Objectives
programmes designed
to meet
locally
perceived needs
a). Windfall
(e.g. "compensation" ) payable to community
andpayments
priorities.
ii) LGA monthly subvention to cover running costs & essential activities (e.g. planning)
Sustainability
Funds
Start Up Funds
i) Community Contribution – raised by levy
Community Entry
Stakeholder contribution
Proactive Facilitation
Year 1
2
Supervise / Mentor
3
4
5 year Empowerment Programme
5
Exit…
6-10
Thereafter
Future Programmes
Bayelsa Partnership Initiative
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Partnering model 2 is still under
development, in Bayelsa State. It
has similar goals but intends
coordinated and statewide funding
for community-driven
development.
CDFs will draw down (as of Right)
on Stakeholder allocated funding
for Grants and Loans that will
service Community Plans initiated
by individuals, groups and
entrepreneurs at the CDI level.
Both models (will) rely on
developing extensive Participatory
M&E systems that use non-fiscal
indicators e.g. happiness and
peace, as well as standard
accounting and reporting methods.
Institutional Development &
Capacity Building is an essential
part of both models.
BPI
2
Stakeholder Funding
and M&E
GRANTS
Grants
LOANS
Loans
Community Development Foundations
Community Development Institutions
Note: Top down support for bottom up
development; stream-lined & efficient; no
strangle-hold by middle management
Capacity Building Assessment: Solutions
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Two models aim to build capacity in community led development, both civil
society and local government
Investments in building skills and awareness are best monitored and
evaluated by measuring their impact at the grass roots in terms of
sustainable development, better governance and peace,
Measuring intangibles i.e. happiness, well being, social inclusion – how:
reduced incidents of conflict, involvement in local, functional institutions,
confidence in health and education services
What are community development outcomes: improved access to health,
education, better infrastructure promoting local economies, roads,
electricity, improved natural resource management
Methodologies: improved implementation and efficiency of projects initiated
by government and community, less financial wastage and therefore fewer
abandoned projects; publication of financial reports on regular basis; socioeconomic analyses to measure intangibles and tangibles; incidents of
conflict
Certification of ISD & “living university” courses
Millennium Development Goals should be used as a checklist to monitor
community development progress
What is missing to properly do this assessment: resources, skills, lack of
political will, skepticism
What role for stakeholders beyond funding: political support, technical
assistance, constructive feedback, networking, representation at a global
level
Essential Components & Activities
• Awareness Creation & Publicity
– Advocacy And Empowerment: Letting The People See And Say
– Letting People Know Their Own Rights And Responsibilities And Of
Those That Handle Money
• Procedures
– Definition Of Clear And Well Known Procedures For Accounting &
Reporting
• Transparency
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Publishing What You Pay/Radio/TV/Papers...
No Confidentiality: Right Of Access To Information
Making Reporting Field Based, Clearer & Credible
Using Digital Cameras & GPS To ID & Report Projects Clearly
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Creating Avenues For Protest & Congratulations
– Newspapers
– Whistle Blowing: Mobile Phone /SMS Texting / Emails / Blogging
Institutional Development & Capacity Building Through A
Chain Of “living universities”:
The ‘living university’ of
Example: The ADF “living
“living
university” of Akassa:
Akassa
university
” of
Akassa
Akassa Development Foundation
• Classroom is the
community
• Teachers are community
members
• What they teach is what
ISD
Is awarded to:
The
‘Hub’
model
places
they have learned about the ISD at the centre of
learning
developing themselves development______________________________________
• Students are visitors from
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other communities “living
and
“living the ‘living university’
For attending
university”
university” course:
institutions
Experiential learning takes place in the
field: skills and knowledge are shared
of Eastern
Obolo
Akassa Training & Resource
Centre plays important role.
Certificate of
Attendance
number 3 in
2007
Introduction to Participatory
Community Development
Organised by Akassa Development Foundation and
Pro-Natura International (Nigeria)
Reporting To Communities & Funders
Project Title
Scope
Cost
Iko Viewing &
Training Centre
Construction of training hall,
viewing centre and office
space
N5,059,135
Project Title
Scope
Cost
Amauka Footbridge
Construction of 15m
concrete footbridge
N3,742,460
Project Title
Scope
Cost
Renovation of Kampa
Primary School
Completion of abandoned
primary school project –
widows, roofing, floor…
N996,530
Reporting to the Public