World Bank to reward top-performing states with $27m under HOPE Governance Programme

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

States that demonstrated strong commitment to reforms in basic education and primary healthcare are set to receive $27 million (about N41 billion) in performance-based incentives under the World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Programme, with Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Yobe emerging among the biggest beneficiaries.

The National Coordinator of the HOPE Governance Programme, Dr. Assad Hassan, announced the incentive package on Tuesday in Abuja during a retreat for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Budget and Planning from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to a press release by Joe Mutah,Communications Officer,HOPE Governance Program, Dr. Hassansaid the funds would be released to states that successfully met the Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Results (DLRs) after an independent assessment by the Interim Independent Verification Agent (IVA), which evaluated states’ compliance with key governance and public finance reforms.

According to him, the incentives are tied to measurable reforms designed to improve transparency, accountability and efficient funding of basic education and primary healthcare across the country.