By Muhammad Jamil Abubakar

The Gombe State Government has taken a significant step towards improving governance and service delivery with the launch of a new Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy.

The policy was officially unveiled at a ceremony in Gombe, attended by state officials, United Nation Children’s Fund, UNICEF representatives, and various stakeholders from across the development sector.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who presided over the launch, described the policy as a cornerstone of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective governance.

The Governor who was represented by his deputy Dr Manasseh Daniel Jatau, said the M&E policy will serve as a framework to track the progress and impact of all government projects and programs across the state.

The policy aims to establish a standardized system for assessing the implementation and outcomes of government initiatives in various sectors.

It mandates regular data collection, analysis, and reporting on key performance indicators for all state-funded projects.

Speaking at the event, the UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office for Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, commended the state government’s initiative for domesticating and launching the M&E policy documents assuring the State Government of UNICEF continued support for the implementation phase, including technical assistance and periodic review of the policy’s effectiveness.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique added that the introduction of the new policy demonstrates the state government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and results-orientated governance.

The UNICEF’s Chief of Planning and Monitoring, Wayne Amago Bacale, explained that the policy will enable the government to track its progress in meeting the key priorities and results outlined in the state’s development plan, which aims for significant achievements by 2030.

As Gombe State Government embarks on this new approach to governance and development monitoring, many see it as a potential model for other states in the region.

The successful implementation of this policy could significantly enhance the impact of government and UNICEF-supported programs, ultimately benefiting the children and families of Gombe State.