World Bank gives Finance Ministry $5.6m loan to procure office equipment, others
The Home Finance Department of Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning has secured a $5.6 million loan from the World Bank under the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) project. The funds are designated for the procurement of various items, including office stationery, furniture, solar inverters, office equipment, and vehicles.
The SFTAS project, initiated in 2018 to enhance transparency and accountability at the sub-national level, received a total commitment of $1.5 billion in two batches ($750 million each) from the World Bank, with the project concluding in 2022. However, ongoing implementation activities are outlined in a document obtained from the bank.
The approved procurement plan covers the period from February 2019 to August 2020 and aligns with the World Bank’s Procurement Guidelines, defining the procedures for acquiring goods and services required for the project.
Key allocations from the loan include $25,713 for office stationery and supplies, $39,357 for additional office equipment and supplies for the SFTAS Programme Coordinating Unit, and $64,190 for furnishing and equipping SFTAS Public Service Institute space. Additionally, $4.78 million was allocated for the provision of spatial data to states, and $409,638 for the procurement of project vehicles for the PCU and independent verification agent.
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The document reveals that out of the 21 proposed items, two were cancelled, four were completed successfully, and another was under implementation. Three projects were pending implementation, and 11 projects were signed as of the document’s release in December 2023.
Nigeria recently emerged as the top recipient of World Bank loans in 2022, receiving about $2.9 billion. The country is currently servicing approximately $14.12 billion from 108 approved loans, with the oldest loan dating back to 1989 under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s administration.
The SFTAS Communications Specialist emphasized that the procurement of items at the project’s commencement is a regular procedure to ensure successful implementation. The acquired items, including furniture and ICT infrastructure, are intended for the use of the project office within the Home Finance Department of the Ministry of Finance. Consultants funded by the loan offer technical assistance to states involved in the project.
