An Implementation Support Mission (ISM) for the Institutional Reform and Capacity Building project (IRCBP) was carried out from the 3^rd -11^th December 2009 and has rated the project as satisfactory. This was a joint mission by the World Bank, European Commission and Department for International Development. The mission team was led by the task team leader of the IRCBP, Vivek Srivastava, of the World Bank.

Vivek Srivastava presents the Mission's findings

On the 11^th December, the key findings of the mission were presented and discussed at a wrap up meeting chaired by the coordinator of the IRCBP, Alpha Sesay. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED), Samura Kamara, and officials of the IRCBP.

The mission’s objectives were to review and rate the progress under the current annual work plan(AWP) program, review and rate performance on financial management and procurement, review progress on key issues identified in the last Implementation Support Review, review the draft amended Results framework and consider implications of its introduction for project management, examine the draft AWP for  2010 in terms of intended delivery on project outcomes in its last year, engage with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Local Government and rural development (MIALGRD)on the implementation of the earlier presented Strategy paper on “Mainstreaming of Decentralisation”, discuss with MOFED proposed arrangements for Project Coordination in the light of the government’s decision to consolidate this function for three projects- IRCBP, Integrated Public Financial management Reform project (IPFMRP), and Decentralised Service Delivery Project (DSDP) and review the implementation of the recommendations from the 2008 environmental and social safeguards report on LGDG grants that was provided to the Project.

L-R, Samura Kamara, Minister of the MOFED and Alpha Sesay, Coordinator of the IRCBP

Presenting on the mission’s findings, Vivek Srivastava reported that the IRCB Project proved satisfactory on all levels of Summary development Objective rating, Overall Implementation Progress, Project management, Financial Management, Procurement, and Monitoring and evaluation.

He lauded the IRCBP team that despite the fact that several officers were in acting capacities for most of the period since the June 09 ISM, appropriate managerial application and responsiveness was demonstrated in adhering to the activity schedule for 2009. He also said that the Mission considers the 2010 AWP to be well constructed and logically presented with regards to the adjusted results framework.

He called on the MOFED and the LGFD to consider the issue of uncompleted projects in the councils as some councils had LGDG projects that they had neglected upon MOFED’s request for council’s “fast track” projects.

Cross section of officials at the wrap up meeting

The Director of the Decentralisaton Secretariat , Alhassan Kanu thanked the World Bank representative, Brendan Glynn, whom he said has been a tremendous support to the Project enable it achieve a rating as "satisfactory".

The final version of the Mission's aide memoire will be circulated shortly.

© Copyright 2005, IRCBP.