May 22, 2026
Adama, May 13/2018 (From the press)
This was announced during the nine-month plan performance review forum of the Urban Development Safety Net and Jobs Project held in Adama city.
The Urban Development Safety Net and Jobs Project has created employment opportunities for low-income residents by focusing on poverty and enabling citizens to move from dependency to productivity, narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor and enabling citizens to move towards wealth, and becoming a model project at the African level; it is an effective project that has been recognized by the World Bank and other development partners, the Minister said.
The forum discussed the findings of field monitoring and support conducted in 21 cities in the third quarter. In conclusion, it was stated that there were improvements from previous years and that further work is needed to focus on fundamental issues that need to be improved.
Similarly, a report was submitted on the findings of a project procurement audit study conducted by an independent body in 32 other cities, including 11 sub-cities in Addis Ababa city. Among the recommendations made in the summary given following the report were: – Reducing procurement delays; Aligning budget and plan; Conducting technical evaluation; Improving document management; Recording delivery and inspection documents; Completing supply and payment quickly; Aligning market research and price estimates, and similar recommendations.
It was agreed that the project implementers in the cities where the study was conducted would submit their revised reports with factual evidence within the set timeframe. The overall audit assessment indicated that the procurement process was largely in line with World Bank standards and that attention needed to be paid to areas where improvements were needed.
It was also stated by the participants that the forum had created the capacity to fill the gaps in understanding and utilization of the resources obtained.
Finally, the Honorable State Minister Ato Fenta Dejen stated that the documents presented and ideas raised at the forum, as well as the joint discussions held, were useful, and that overall, the forum was a place where best practices were seen and understanding was created to fill the gaps. He expressed his satisfaction with the work done and the results obtained, and set out future directions on issues that should be focused on in the future.
In order to sustainably solve the problems of citizens and maintain the results achieved, as well as to properly manage and direct the additional financial support received, it is necessary to recruit beneficiaries with quality and make the work consistent with environmental development; properly implement the Management Information System; focus on livelihood improvement works; strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system for audit works from planning to implementation; and properly manage the financial management and procurement system.
