By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
The Coordinator for Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Project of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Patrick Monrovia has said the institution will monitor the implementation of a $42 million dollar grant given by the World Bank to the Government of Sierra Leone.
Monrovia was speaking to Politico in an interview on the 19th of September this year.
The grant is for Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Empowerment, which he said is going to be implemented by the Government of Sierra Leone through the National Action for Social Action (NASCA), and that the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) of the ACC would monitor the implementation of the project.’’ GRM works directly with the beneficiaries to help and gauge their satisfaction,’’ he added.
On transparency and accountability, Monrovia said the ACC is to be included in the design of projects by NASCA and other agencies, ensuring that projects are implemented accordingly.
He said there should be social accountability in which ACC would engage communities, and that project coordinators should design projects based on what the beneficiaries want, as that would enable them to take ownership.
He said NASCA had earlier started doing cash transfers to those with small businesses and that the project would provide 21 million dollars to continue the cash transfer. He said this money would be given to those beneficiaries as an ‘unconditional grant, ‘as long as they fall within the category of people to benefit.
Monrovia also spoke about the Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW) that helps youths in different communities to organize a service that is central to their needs, he went on.
Two years ago, the World Bank provided the Government of Sierra Leone with 40 million dollars for the implementation of projects in the areas of agriculture, business, health, and education, among others. This project according to its design covers the rural areas as well as the urban areas. And because of market fluctuation over the period, the World Bank added another two million dollars to the initial $40 million given.
The project was effectively launched in 2022 and will end in 2027.
Copyright (2023) Politico (20/09/23)
