The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective project implementation.
The Co-Chair of the forum, Dr. Auwal Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring in Kano.
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Halilu said the coalition had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the exercise involved physical inspections and documentation through photographs, videos and project locations.
According to him, reports of the monitoring activities have been submitted to relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that the forum planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
Halilu said the advocacy visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration on procurement processes and project monitoring.
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He called for civil society representation in procurement and project monitoring activities, including tender board processes and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide firsthand information on government projects.
He also requested the ministry’s support in organising orientation programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
According to him, the proposed training would strengthen civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the coalition and acknowledged its contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He said the ministry was willing to collaborate with the coalition through information sharing and other engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
The commissioner said the ministry recognised the coalition’s contributions to supporting government interventions in education and was committed to working with it.
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Halilu disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagements with relevant MDAs and the media to strengthen oversight and ensure effective implementation of education projects across Kano State.