1.1.1.1 Guidelines and goals

3. Programming of investments was based on all funds allocated for development projects. The following were taken into account:

• - Investment expenditure from domestic resources;

• - Investment expenditure from external resources earmarked for all types of projects;

• - Expenditure from domestic resources representing counterpart funds;

• - Expenditure from Government transfers to public and semi-public corporations;

• - expenditure on HIPC projects; etc.

4. In general, Government choices in terms of budget planning were guided by the need to promote the well-fare of the population and to ensure optimum functioning of public services. Thus, Government choices were geared towards quality expenditure guided by sector strategies and well-defined goals along with relevant indicators. The selection of projects was, therefore, based on the following guidelines:

• - Implementation of the poverty alleviation programme as projected in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP);

• - Respect of priority sectors, notably education and health, with specific emphasis on the following components: HIV/AIDS, rural development, potable water supply, electricity, urban sanitation, maintenance of basic infrastructure, as well as governance with its main components being the fight against corruption and promotion of ethics in public services;

• - Consideration of the judiciary and services in charge of the security of persons and goods;

• - Extension of the public investment network under domestic resources as well as under external financing, especially in the areas of infrastructure, economic and social equipments.

5. The main objectives targeted within the framework of the process of investment programming were based on the following points:

• - Effective support to economic growth in the short and long terms;

• - Fulfilment of requirements for sustainable development, especially in the social sector;

• - Support to the private sector, especially sub sectors with comparative advantage.

6. In all, after a definition of guidelines and objectives, programming of investments was characterised by two complementary phases for the 2004 financial year: evaluation of projects and budgeting.

1.1.1.2 Phases of programming

1.2.2.1 Eligible expenditure sectors

20. Eligible expenditure for HIPC financing concerns expenditure related to poverty alleviation and governance programmes. This includes recurrent expenditure and/or investment expenditure in the form of budget lines, projects and programmes. In the beginning of the 2004 financial year, the Prime Minister, Head of Government, signed a Decree to allocate HIPC credits to the various sector ministries of the national economy. These sectors include:

(a) Social development sector

21. Priority actions:

• Social protection and national solidarity;

• Employment;

• Promotion of equity and gender equality;

• Satisfaction of basic needs;

• Social education

(b) Education

22. Priority actions:

• Improvement of access to education;

• Improvement of the quality of education;

• Building an efficient partnership;

• Improvement of management and governance in the education system.

(c) Infrastructure

23. Priority actions:

• Maintenance of the priority road network;

• Development and construction of rural roads;

• Access to potable water through the creation of water supply systems, notably boreholes and harnessed wells in underprivileged areas, notably rural areas;

• Improvement of electricity supply and its access by the underprivileged of rural and urban areas;

• Improvement of potable water supply and its access by the underprivileged of rural and urban areas.

(d) Health

24. Priority actions:

• Reduction of infant morbidity and mortality;

• Reduction of maternal mortality;

• Reduction of the number of persons suffering from malnutrition;

• Prevention of major endemic diseases (AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, etc);

• Reinforcement and structuring of health services;

• Medical care for emergency cases;

• Access to reproductive health services;

• Support for an efficient and effective management of health resources.

(e) Rural development

25. Priority actions:

• Development of agricultural, pastoral and fisheries sectors;

• Promotion of agricultural, pastoral and fisheries services;

• Promotion of agricultural credit;

• Strengthening producer groups and structuring organisations of the rural area;

• Access to agricultural inputs by producers;

• Farm mechanisation;

• Promotion of the management of natural resources;

• Promotion of veterinary services.

(f) Governance

26. Priority actions

• Free access to information by the public;

• Promptness in decision-making;

• Civic education of citizens in view of promoting equality for all before the law and the fight against impunity;

• Access to justice;

• Improvement of public affairs management;

• Promotion of the involvement of the civil society in the decision-making process;

• Protection of persons and goods;

• Fight against corruption;

• Improvement of transparency.

1.2.2.2 Technical eligibility criteria

27. Projects submitted for HIPC financing are appraised on the basis of two criteria: conformity criteria and evaluation criteria.

Conformity criteria

28. Any project to be submitted to the CCS/PPTE shall comprise:

1- an administrative file;

2- a technical file.

29. These two elements help to appraise the conformity of the project with the priority actions of the poverty alleviation programme. Four eligibility scales are used: scale 1 is meant for identification as it ranks projects according to the status of the promoter. Scale 2 helps to appraise the coherence of the project with the PRSP. Scale 3 helps to appraise the project in relation with priority actions of the sector concerned and lastly, scale 4 helps to evaluate the technical file according to well-defined transversal criteria.

30. Once conformity criteria have been examined, the file is evaluated following hypothesis formulated on the basis of previously defined criteria. Investment projects under HIPC financing are examined by the Advisory and Follow-up committee for the Management of HIPC Resources which was set up by Decree No. 2000/960/PM of 1 December 2000 by the Prime Minister, Head of Government. The Decree sets up and regulates the organisation and functioning of the Committee. Once investment projects have been examined by the aforementioned committee, they are validated by the Government and then forwarded to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Programming and Regional Development for programming in the public investment budget.

2.1.1.1 Financial year

43. The financial year is designated by a figure, which reflects the number of years of budgetary imputations to date. This figure is 38 for the 2004 financial year.

2.1.1.2 The unique identifier

44. Only individuals and corporate bodies registered at the unique identifier (IDU) by tax services can benefit from credits listed in the budget of public or semi-public bodies, and local and regional authorities.

2.1.1.3 Management tools

45. Management tools include:

• - Imposed freeze and quota of expenditure commitment;

• - Accreditations concerning vote holders, stores accountants, finance controllers;

• - Management of commitment and purchase books;

• - Transfers of credit.

2.1.2.1 The commitment order procedure

47. This procedure concerns material expenditure made by Central services of the ministries located in Yaounde.

2.1.2.2 The purchase order procedure

48. This procedure concerns delegated credits for Central services located out of Yaounde, and for diplomatic and consular missions.

2.1.2.3 Imprest account procedures

49. This procedure falls within the competence of the Ministry of Finance and the Budget in conformity with provisions of section 1 of Decree No 86/055 of 14 January 1986.

2.1.4.1 Preliminary control operations

58. They are conducted by the finance control services attached to the various ministries or by provincial and divisional control services in order to check the regularity of commitments.

2.1.4.2 Control of commitments conformity

59. To ensure commitment conformity, finance control services forward commitment orders to the Department of Investment Programming of MINEPAT for validation if their regularity is confirmed. They are later on forwarded to the Department of the Budget of MINFIB for the continuation of the procedure.

2.1.4.3 Control of liquidations and audits

60. This control is conducted by MINEPAT for the follow-up and control on the basis of detailed or consolidated listings of committed and keyed operations, or operations liquidated by the different ministries. These listings are communicated to MINEPAT every month by the Department of the Budget of MINFIB.

3.2.1.1 Available sources

96. School map: The 2002 school map which was updated in 2003 constitutes the second edition of the data base established on the education system and on a few elements of the demand for education in Cameroon. The data base presents material, infrastructure, human and financial means of the education system, as well as the education population by gender, province and subsystem. Major indicators of the education system are derived from this data base.

97. Price formation of food crops: the process conducted during the second semester of 2002 concerned price formation of twelve major crops sold in the Yaounde and Douala markets. An analysis of prices and charges at the level of producers, road transporters, wholesalers and retailers helped to classify products according to the level of income generation by the various stakeholders. The study sorts out products (a few) that generate little income to producers as compared to other stakeholders, and makes suggestions on how to improve the income of producers.

98. Survey on living conditions in Yaounde and Douala: This survey was also conducted during the second semester of 2002. It is a supplement to ECAM II to help implement and follow-up urban development policies. On the basis of broader samples that helped to solve problems of proximity, the survey presents the situation in terms of sanitation, environment, infrastructure equipment, quality of housing, security of persons and goods in these two big cities. Results were available since July 2003 and they have been put at the disposal of MINVILLE, MINUH and the two city councils.

99. Survey on the channel of public expenditure and the satisfaction of beneficiaries in the health and education sectors: It is an exercise that helped to evaluate deadlines for the execution of the budget through an analysis of the channel of the non salary expenditure and to measure the flow of resources that reach decentralised services, to appraise the distribution of resources between external services and contractors, to collect appraisal of the satisfaction of users on the quality and efficiency of some service. The survey covered health and education sectors. The results were geared towards the appraisal of the quality of expenditure and governance related issues. The first results of the health component were available by the end of March 2004. Data collection for the education component took off in the field in March 2004 and the report on the analysis of results will be available in June 2004.

100. Exploitation of ECAM II: This was pursued with a view to providing thematic information to sector ministries. In this light, it should be pointed out that beside the translation into English of the two following main reports: “Main Report on the survey” and “Evolution of Poverty from 1996 to 2001”, three new documents entitled “Poverty and Education in 2001”, “Poverty and Health in 2001” and “Poverty, Housing and Lifestyle in 2001” were published in 2003. These publications are added to the previous five thematic publications on rural poverty, poverty and gender, poverty and governance, poverty and labour market and subjective poverty in 2001. In all, the ECAM II survey led to the publication of some fifteen books that present poverty in Cameroon in 2001 in all its forms.

3.2.1.2 Other sources under preparation

101. PREPAPEN survey (half way): The Poverty Reduction and Pro-Women actions Project in the Far-North province (PREPAPEN) is entering its third year of execution. The survey on the evaluation of its mid-way activities was conducted in the field in February and March 2004. The survey took stock of the State of execution of actions projected which concerned the construction of community infrastructure (inverts, warehouses, market stalls etc.), financing of micro-projects, promotion of self-employment and promotion of income generating activities. A preliminary report on the State of execution of actions and appraisal of their quality was prepared by the end of March 2004. The report will be supplemented with an appraisal by the beneficiaries of the execution and its impact.

102. EDS III survey: The pilot phase took of by the end of February 2004 while the data collection process took off in March 2004. This survey will provide indicators on mortality, immunization, reproductive health and prevalence of major diseases including HIV/AIDS. Cameroon will have at its deposal more reliable data on the rate of prevalence of AIDS as a special component was devoted to this end. It will no longer be a mere declared prevalence but rather an effective prevalence rate obtained after a screening of blood sampling and following ethics and medical confidentiality.

103. Survey 1-2-3: This is the first ever survey with a national scope on employment and the informal sector in Cameroon. Phase 1 on employment will provide a study of the labour market with emphasis on unemployment profile, causes of inactivity, the sources of household revenue, sectors of activities with more profit potentials and causes of unemployment. The pilot test of this phase was conducted by the end of March 2004. Phase 2 on the informal sector will be conducted with a sample of employers or of self-employed workers identified during the first phase. This will help to replenish the accounts of these operators with a view to better understanding poverty that prevails in this sector, as well as problems and preoccupations.

104. Third RGPH: It is the core statistical operation that will help to prepare the basic sampling of the households’ survey, the population policy and calculation base of the main indicators of the mechanism. The operation will take off in 2004.

3.2.2.1 Works conducted

106. The studies conducted so far concern the review of the situation of the National System of Statistical Information (SNIS), the specification of selection criteria of indicators, the organisation of the mechanism, the statistical programme, and an estimate of its cost.

107. The review of the situation of the SNIS helped to examine the following aspects: organisation, production, publication, dissemination and financing with a view to pointing out the main shortcomings and strong points that will be taken into consideration when the statistical mechanism will be completed.

108. With regard to the selection criteria of indicators, the table of indicators available in the draft statistical mechanism paper is made up of provisional data and the final table will be prepared following a logical framework per area. This logical framework allows for the preparation of the final table on the basis of Cameroon’s commitments as concerns MDG, follow-up and evaluation indicators of the PRSP, sector strategies indicators and day-to-day management indicators of different areas.

109. Once the indicators have been selected, we intend to determine landmarks and intermediary or final targets and to make an estimate of their cost. Landmarks represent the targeted goal as well as the ultimate goal itself. Intermediary targets are necessary to permit a periodic evaluation of the progress made, while waiting for the final horizon which can also point out international constraints.

110. Transparency and the participatory approach will be reinforced in this mechanism. In order to ensure that users as well as all stakeholders can check the reliability of the level of indicators obtained at any time, it was useful to specify the components as well as calculation formulae used to prepare them. This exercise which has already taken off will be completed at the end of the process on the final selection of indicators.

111. Four different categories of indicators were identified for methodical and coherent follow-up and evaluation of the implementation of global and sector strategies of poverty alleviation. These categories of indicators are: (i) indicators relating to the mobilisation and use of resources, (ii) indicators of execution, (iii) indicators of results, and (iv) indicators of impact. Indicators of participatory follow-up which make up the qualitative version of the above mentioned quantitative indicators are yet to be defined.

112. The organisation and functioning of the mechanism is decentralised just like the SNIS. Every service will have a focal point that will ease information exchange between the said service and the National Institute of Statistics who ensures the coordination of activities. There are two types of sources of data: administrative sources, from which day-to-day statistics on service supply will be produced, and surveys or censuses. These concern exercises that will help to produce indicators for the follow-up of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) which are part of the Minimum Statistical Programme (PSM). This programme includes the Third RGPH, EDS III, MICS II, ECAM III, PETS, the survey on employment and the informal sector, agricultural survey and education survey.

113. A preliminary estimate of the costs related to the survey was made and for the 2003-2006 periods, the package is CFAF 10. 230 thousand million for the seven censuses and surveys retained, which represent CFAF 6.5 thousand million for the Third RGPH. Most of the operations retained represent the base necessary for future processes whose scope will be less wide. This concerns the RGPH, the survey on employment and the informal sector and the agricultural survey.

114. As concerns financing, some donor agencies that were solicited by the Government have already expressed their will to support the putting in place and functioning of the mechanism and the execution of operations retained for the production of statistics. They include: the World Bank (ECAM III, EDS, PETS, etc.), the IMF (SGDD, implementation of SNC93), the ADB (PCI-Afrique), the European Union (Support within the 9^th EDF), the UN system (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, etc.), France and Germany.

3.2.2.2 Problems encountered

115. As regards the production of statistics, the main problems are the mobilisation of resources for financing operations, and the low capacity of sector-based statistical services to produce quality data, namely in the health, education and rural sectors.

116. As concerns the setting up of a follow-up and evaluation mechanism, the choice of the most relevant follow-up indicators is hindered by the absence of indicators on target and intermediary objectives in sector strategies. The creation of ruling structures of NIS will enable it organise itself to support the sector-oriented departments of this mechanism.

3.2.2.3 Implementation calendar

117. As concerns the finalisation of the mechanism document and its implementation, the next stages include: (i) adoption/validation of the project by the Government, (ii) consultation of Government’s development partners in order to collect their contributions (financial) in view of the implementation of the mechanism.

118. For an effective implementation of the mechanism and following the classification of indicators and induced sources, operations that fall within administrative sources will take off without delay, whereas other periodic operations will be programmed.

119. A head of all these stages, the Government got in touch with the European Commission Delegation, which represents donors, to seek for international assistance within the process of completing the mechanism as concerns the selection of indicators and estimate of costs.

4.1.1.1. Characteristics of the supply of health services

150. On the basis of a sample of 150 health institutions, including 109 public institutions and 34 private hospitals, the appraisal of health service supply focuses on basic infrastructure, availability of health personnel, salary of staff, availability of essential drugs, number of people visiting these institutions, and supervision of the functioning of health institutions.

Basic infrastructure

151. As concerns access to electricity, almost all District Hospitals are connected to the power network (AES-SONEL). However, in the East province, two District Hospitals (DH) out of three have electricity. For CMA and CSI, about one CMA out of two do not have electricity. The figure is slightly in an upward trend in CSI_S (53%).

152. As concerns water supply, only 65% of DH, 37% of CMA and 23% of CSI are provided with this facility. To fill this gap, most health institutions use alternative sources of water supply such as boreholes, (27% of DH; 31% of CMA and about 25% of CSI), wells/harnessed sources (21% of DH; 44% of CMA and 42% of CSI°.

153. With regard to telephone and radio communications, 6 DH out of 10 have a telephone line, as against 37% of CMA and 10% of CSI. As an alternative communication means, the use of radio is not very widespread: 11% of DH, none of CMA and 10% of CSI.

154. Medical laboratories are available in all DH of the sample, while 81.3% of CMA are provided with these laboratories. The situation is more worrying as concerns CSI_s. As a matter of fact, about 46% of these institutions are not equipped with laboratories.

155. All District Hospitals and 87.5% of CMA are equipped with freezers and fridges (cold chain) used in the preservation of vaccines and some drugs. 7 CSI_S out of 10 are equipped with these appliances.

156. Availability of consultation wards, beds for cases of hospitalisation or observation and basic medical equipment depend on the category of the health institution, on the localisation and on whether the institution is public or private. Generally speaking, DH are better equipped. Similarly, private lay hospitals are generally better equipped.

157. Globally, the overall health institutions in which the survey was conducted lack transport equipment. As a matter of fact, 85.1% of these institutions do not have functional ambulances (88% for public hospitals and 75.8% for private hospitals). Service vehicles, excluding ambulances, are almost absent in all hospitals visited. 37.7% of these institutions have at least one motorcycle, 6.3% have two motorcycles and 2.8% have more than three motorcycles as against 53.8% that have none.

Health personnel

158. According to the results of the survey, the number of health personnel in health institutions visited did not vary during the various periods of the survey (2001/2002 and 2003). The average number of health personnel for 2001/2002 was 37.6 for District Hospitals, 13.1 for CMA and 7.9 for CSI. In 2003, these figures did not change significantly.

159. The North Province is ranked first among the provinces that lack health personnel: the average number is 10.3 in District Hospitals, 3.5 in CMA and 2.6 in CSI.

Availability of health personnel and their relationship with patients

160. Among patients questioned, 28.8% said they were consulted by a doctor, 32.9% by a head nurse and 37.5% by a nurse or a midwife. In fact, if nurses and midwives do consult patients, it is due to the unavailability and/or lack of doctors and head nurses who are qualified for making diagnosis. Consultation by health personnel depends on the standard of the health institution.

161. As concerns the quality of medical care, about 9 patients out of 10 said the consultation was good and complete in most cases. As concerns staffs behaviour, 85% of patients said health personnel are humanists as against 10% who said they were given poor medical care. Patients were also satisfied with prescriptions and physical examinations.

Absenteeism in health institutions

162. The survey focused on cases of absenteeism to appraise the availability of health personnel. The rate of absenteeism was 5.6% in the overall health institutions visited. More specifically, this rate stood at 3% in District Hospitals, 8.5% in CMA and 10.4% in CSI. The highest rates of absenteeism were recorded in the Far North, Adamawa and East provinces, with 17%, 14% and 13% respectively.

Salary of health personnel

163. Among incentives that can have an impact on the quality of services rendered by this staff, and besides the working environment, the survey focused on the salary of health personnel as well as related benefits, notably bonuses.

164. Beside the problem of irregular payment of shares, the overall staffs of medical and health institutions are globally unsatisfied with the conditions of payment. The double salary cuts in 1993, the devaluation of the CFAF and inflation account for the poor purchasing power. According to most personnel questioned, some professional misconduct could be explained by these factors.

Availability of essential drugs in health institutions

165. The survey focused on the availability of the following essential drugs: Metronidagole, Rifampicine, Chloroquine, Cotrimoxazole, Measles vaccine and DT/DTP vaccine. The following drugs were available during the period the survey was conducted: Contrimoxazole (available in 97% of health institutions. However, only 7 health institutions out of 10 have stocks of measles and DT/DTP vaccines. About one health institution out of two is not provided with chloroquine, while Rifampicine is rather scarce (only 14% of health institutions have this drug).

Preferences

166. 65.3% of patients received their treatment in public hospitals, as against 34.7% who preferred private hospitals. In Douala and in the South-West province, people questioned said they prefer private hospitals: 55.6% and 53.6%, respectively.

Supervision

167. During the 2003 first semester, 88% of heads of District hospitals supervised health institutions under their jurisdiction at least once. 82% of them had a supervision plan in advance. During the same period, 85% of heads of District hospitals were supervised by their immediate supervisors. In the sample of health institutions, CMAs were the most supervised (87.5%), followed by CSI (76.9%). Criteria for supervision are still not understood by about 40% of heads of health institutions.

4.1.1.2. Characteristics of health demand

168. The demand for health services was appraised at three levels: (i) the number of patients, (ii) the profile of patients, and (iii) their appraisal of services.

Number of patients

169. In 2001/2002, health institutions visited received an average of 15 patients per day, that is 22 patients in DH, 17 in CMA and 12 in CSI. The number of patients depends on the type of hospital. Thus, a reference hospital will receive more patients than ordinary hospitals. This can be justified by the quality and quantity of services delivered by these hospitals.

170. In terms of spatial distribution, Douala and Yaounde, the two major cities account for 45% of patients received in District Hospitals. According to the area of study, Douala records the highest number of patients per day, all categories of hospitals included, followed by the North-West and Far-North Provinces. The lowest rate of patients that go to hospital is recorded in the South, East and Adamawa provinces.

Profile of patients and factors of choice

171. Going to a hospital or not depends on a number of isolated and/or combined factors including: (i) the purchasing power of the socio-economic group, (ii) the reference of the hospital, (iii) proximity of the hospital, (iv) costs of treatment. These empirical factors were confirmed after an analysis of data on the basis of a multi-correspondence approach¹.

• The Socio-economic group

172. The analysis of data revealed that for patients, going to a hospital or not depend on their financial means: the rich ones go to DH in urban areas while the poor ones attend lower categories of hospitals. In rural areas where poverty is more acute (ECAM II), the most indicative factor seems to be proximity to hospitals.

• Technical capacities of hospitals

173. Another factor that prompts patients to prefer one hospital to another is the technical capacity of the hospital in delivering quality services. Thus, 40% of patients go to DH for serious diseases that require qualified medical staff. For minor disorders, patients prefer to attend small categories of hospitals. For a better medical supervision, 77% of pregnant women attend health centres for prenatal and postnatal consultation. This high rate can be justified by proximity and lack of complication in the activities.

• Proximity of hospitals

174. Patients are usually sensitive on this aspect. However, they are ready to cross a long distance (when they have enough means) to seek medical care in renowned public or private hospitals (qualified doctors and technical capacity) located in far distances.

• Costs of treatment

175. Households spend on average CFAF 659 per person for consultations in DH_S, CFAF 967 in CMA and CFAF 1032 in CS7. In general, physical examinations are more expensive in Yaounde and Douala than in the other towns. The lowest rate of costs of treatment is recorded in the grand Northern regions.

176. Despite the high costs of treatment, many households are ready to go to private hospitals because of the good quality of services delivered. Thus, 94% of patients questioned were satisfied with the quality of consultations, 82% were satisfied with the drugs prescribed which, they said, are adapted to their diseases and about 53% of households said the costs are reasonable as compared to the results obtained.

• Time lapse and duration of consultation

177. According to the survey, it all depends on the qualifications of the medical practitioner. In general, a patient will spend 52 min waiting for a doctor, 30 min for a head nurse and for any other medical staff. This time lapse also depends on the category of the hospital: the more hospitals are referenced, the more this time increased.

Appraisal of the quality of service delivered

178. Appraisal of the quality of service delivered focused on the following elements: staff qualifications, the quality of reception, conditions of hospitals and costs of medical care.

179. The quality of service delivered in hospitals depends on staff qualifications. Globally, about 29% of patients were consulted by a doctor, 33% by a head nurse, who is also the head of the hospital, and a little more than 37% by the other medical staff. The number of patients consulted by a doctor is higher in private hospitals than in public hospitals. This explains why patients prefer private hospitals than public hospitals despite the high costs of medical care practised there.

180. With regard to reception, most of the patients (90.3% including 24.8% who were very satisfied) said they were satisfied with the reception in hospitals. 91.4% of them said the consultation was complete, thoroughly and well conducted and lasted about 20 mn.

181. With regard to the hygienic conditions of hospitals, 42.2% of patients said hospitals were in a good condition, while 42.2% said toilets were clean and 59.8% said hygiene and sanitation conditions were good. However, 13% of patients were not satisfied with these conditions: 19.1% said toilets were dirty and 19.3% regretted the poor hygienic conditions in the hospitals visited.

182. With regard to the appraisal of costs practised in hospitals, 53% of patients said the costs were just reasonable in relation to the results achieved. However, one third of the patients questioned said they were satisfied with the costs while 13% said these costs were very high.

Suggestions and recommendations

183. Suggestions and recommendations of the survey were reviewed during a workshop held on 13 and 14 April 2004. The workshop aimed at drawing up a priority plan of action whose implementation will contribute to improve on the budget execution and on the quality of services delivered to the beneficiary populations. The workshop brought together experts in public finance, the health sector and development partners. The draft priority plan of action to be submitted to the Government focused on the following items:

• (1) Tracking of budget information, (2) budget execution, (3) improvement of health services, (4) satisfaction of beneficiaries and (5) sustainability of the mechanism.

5.1.3.1. Social sector

• (a) Education

201. Participants lauded Government’s efforts in this area. They appraised efforts made to sensitise parents and village committees on the advantages of education in the Grand North provinces. They also pointed out that the programme on the construction of classrooms and equipment of schools with furniture, teaching aid and computer materials was implemented at a reasonable rate as compared to the objectives prescribed. However, they made the following recommendations:

(i) Immediate absorption of young graduate teachers to enable them to get set, and concerning temporary teachers, beside their recruitment, they recommended the stabilisation and regularisation of the payment of their salary.

(ii) Equity in the posting of teachers to urban and rural areas;

(iii) Urgent measures to solve lack of technical schools (second cycle) in the Far-North province. Participants also regretted the absence of English-speaking teachers and recommended creation of a specialised training centre.

202. Lastly, despite the construction of numerous classrooms, there is still inadequacy between the number of classrooms and teachers, especially in landlocked areas.

• (b) ealth

203. With regard to the health sector, participants appraised efforts made in the construction and rehabilitation of health centres, distribution and/or reduction in the costs of essential drugs and continuation of major control programmes, satisfactory execution of public health programmes and intensification of the fight against STIs/HIV-AIDS. Participants also expressed their satisfaction with the distribution of treated mosquito nets to pregnant women in some provinces. However, they recommended the extension of this campaign throughout the national territory as well as its extension from pregnant women to children.

204. Despite these encouraging actions, participants pointed out that increased efforts should be made to alleviate poverty. Thus, they recommended the following actions:

• i) Construction of houses for health personnel to ease their settlement in localities;

• ii) Speeding up of the reforms on social security, especially the issue of health insurance;

• iii) Revival of the national hygiene and sanitation campaign and improvement of urban sanitation.

• (c) Social affairs and gender

205. As concerns social affairs and gender empowerment, participants lauded the good conduct of projects on the education of women and the girl child, as well as efforts made in the construction and rehabilitation of social centres for the disabled. However, they regretted some shortcomings and recommended the:

(i) Improvement of women’s access and other vulnerable groups to income by granting and creating specialised vocational training centres;

(ii) Equipment of reinsertion centres for the supervision of street children.

206. Lastly, in the area of youth and sports, the population regretted lack of physical and sports instructors, as well as lack of sport infrastructure.

5.1.3.2. Infrastructure

207. Globally, participants noted the improvement of the quality of services in this area. They appraised the construction of several tarred roads, rehabilitation and maintenance of rural roads, intensification of the rural electrification programme and development of potable water points. In the area of telecommunications, they pointed out that the privatisation process in this sector and the development of telephone operators helped to improve the nature and quality of communication. Participants also lauded the availability of domestic gas thanks to the construction of a specialised unit. They however hoped to see the operation extended throughout the country. This operation will be highly welcomed in areas were the use of firewood is responsible for desertification and destruction of the ecosystem.

208. Participants, however, pointed out that these achievements should not overshadow efforts to be made in view of:

(i) Ensuring the availability of gas bottles, as it was observed that one of the factors accounting for low consumption of domestic gas is the scarcity of these bottles;

(ii) Extending the optical fibre throughout the national territory, especially as the outcomes of the reduction of transaction costs and improvement of services are highly awaited;

(iii) Pursuing the extension of the rural electrification programme on the electrification;

(iv) Improving services charged with the supply of petroleum products.

5.1.1.3. Production sector

209. In the agricultural sector, participants were satisfied with the good execution of projects related to the PNVRA programme and expressed their hope to see activities of the PNDP and PADC extended throughout the country. They also expressed their satisfaction with the training of farmers to the projected rate of 25%, though this rate is still low.

210. With regard to access to production means, participants were satisfied with the involvement of the NEF and NGOs in the institutional support and in the training of populations in the conduct of income generating activities.

211. With regard to the promotion of community forestry, they pointed out that it contributed in enhancing the income of local councils, which enabled them to be more active in the improvement of the living conditions of their population.

212. They also observed that the promotion of alternative solutions to the issue of poaching is fully accepted by the population.

213. However, in the cotton sector, there was a dispute between farmers and SODECOTON over access to oilcakes for livestock feeding. This was a major concern for participants in the Far-North province. They suggested the setting up of a multiparty follow-up committee to settle this dispute.

214. In general, participants recommended sensitisation actions to ensure agricultural diversification, as it was observed that concentration on cash crops will aggravate the poverty of rural populations.

5.1.3.4. Governance

In this area, participants were satisfied with the general implementation of the participatory approach adopted by the Government, especially as concerns the follow-up of the PRSP. However, they recommended the reinforcement of the following actions:

• - Speeding up of the popularisation of the PRSP;

• - Extension of the participatory follow-up process to divisions;

• - Extension of poverty alleviation units to provinces and divisions;

• - use of all available communication means to strengthen the fight against corruption;

• - Increase in public service salaries as a first step in the fight against corruption;

• - Speeding up judicial procedures;

• - Systematic production of procedure manuals in all services;

• - Sensitisation of citizens on their rights;

• - Extension of the CRTV coverage throughout the national territory;

• - Improvement of management procedures of credit delegations at the provincial level;

• - Consideration of real needs and preoccupations of the population;

• - Enhancing liquidity of the Treasury in some provinces (South, East, Adamawa), which have serious difficulties in paying their contractors;

• - Improvement of the knowledge of grassroots stakeholders on the procedures of the award of public contracts (notably through training seminars at the divisional level);

• - Improvement of the quality of services delivered by strengthening controls and reliability of reception committees.

5.2.3.1. Identification

• (a) Beneficiaries

221. 255 persons aged above 25 years were questioned in the 10 provinces as seen in the table below. There was a weak participation of women, who represented only 28% of the persons questioned.

Table 1:

Distribution of respondents by gender

Table 1:

Distribution of respondents by gender

	Female		Male		Total
PROVINCE	Number	%	Number	%	Number
ADAMAWA	3	33.33%	6	66.67%	9
CENTRE	13	35.14%	24	64.86%	37
EAST	8	34.78%	15	65.22%	23
FAR-NORTH	7	19.44%	29	80.56%	36
LITTORAL	5	12.50%	35	87.50%	40
NORTH	5	27.78%	13	72.22%	18
NORTH-WEST	7	35.00%	13	65.00%	20
WEST	8	32.00%	17	68.00%	25
SOUTH	10	34.48%	19	65.52%	29
SOUTH-WEST	6	33.33%	12	66.67%	18
TOTAL	72	28.24%	183	71.78%	255

View Table

Table 1:

Distribution of respondents by gender

	Female		Male		Total
PROVINCE	Number	%	Number	%	Number
ADAMAWA	3	33.33%	6	66.67%	9
CENTRE	13	35.14%	24	64.86%	37
EAST	8	34.78%	15	65.22%	23
FAR-NORTH	7	19.44%	29	80.56%	36
LITTORAL	5	12.50%	35	87.50%	40
NORTH	5	27.78%	13	72.22%	18
NORTH-WEST	7	35.00%	13	65.00%	20
WEST	8	32.00%	17	68.00%	25
SOUTH	10	34.48%	19	65.52%	29
SOUTH-WEST	6	33.33%	12	66.67%	18
TOTAL	72	28.24%	183	71.78%	255

222. About 52% of people questioned (132 persons) represented direct beneficiaries, while 34% represented local authorities, 12% NGOs and associations and 2% religious groups.

Table 2:

Distribution of respondents based on their status.

Table 2:

Distribution of respondents based on their status.

Province	Status	Beneficiaries	Religious Groups	Local Auth.	MPs	NGOs	Total
ADAMAWA	number	0		5	1	3	9
	%	0.00%	0.00%	55.56%	11.11%	33.33%	100.00%
CENTRE	number	13	2	14		8	37
	%	35.14%	5.41%	37.84%	0.00%	21.62%	100.00%
EAST	number	18		1		4	23
	%	78.26%	0.00%	4.35%	0.00%	17.39%	100.00%
FAR-NORTH	number	7		25		4	36
	%	19.44%	0.00%	69.44%	0.00%	11.00%	100.00%
LITTORAL	number	27		10	1	2	40
	%	67.50%	0.00%	25.00%	2.50%	5.00%	100.00%
NORTH	number	5		10	1	2	18
	%	27.78%	0.00%	55.56%	5.56%	11.11%	100.00%
NORTH-WEST	number	9		10	1		20
	%	45.00%	0.00%	50.00%	5.00%	0.00%	100.00%
WEST	number	16	1	6	1	1	25
	%	64.00%	4.00%	24.00%	4.00%	4.00%	100.00%
SOUTH	number	23	1	1		4	29
	%	79.31%	3.45%	3.45%	0.00%	13.79%	100.00%
SOUTH-WEST	number	14	1			3	18
	%	77.78%	5.56%	0.00%	0.00%	16.67%	100.00%
TOTAL	number	132	5	82	5	31	255
	%	51.76%	1.96%	32.16%	1.96%	12.16%	100.00%

View Table

Table 2:

Distribution of respondents based on their status.

Province	Status	Beneficiaries	Religious Groups	Local Auth.	MPs	NGOs	Total
ADAMAWA	number	0		5	1	3	9
	%	0.00%	0.00%	55.56%	11.11%	33.33%	100.00%
CENTRE	number	13	2	14		8	37
	%	35.14%	5.41%	37.84%	0.00%	21.62%	100.00%
EAST	number	18		1		4	23
	%	78.26%	0.00%	4.35%	0.00%	17.39%	100.00%
FAR-NORTH	number	7		25		4	36
	%	19.44%	0.00%	69.44%	0.00%	11.00%	100.00%
LITTORAL	number	27		10	1	2	40
	%	67.50%	0.00%	25.00%	2.50%	5.00%	100.00%
NORTH	number	5		10	1	2	18
	%	27.78%	0.00%	55.56%	5.56%	11.11%	100.00%
NORTH-WEST	number	9		10	1		20
	%	45.00%	0.00%	50.00%	5.00%	0.00%	100.00%
WEST	number	16	1	6	1	1	25
	%	64.00%	4.00%	24.00%	4.00%	4.00%	100.00%
SOUTH	number	23	1	1		4	29
	%	79.31%	3.45%	3.45%	0.00%	13.79%	100.00%
SOUTH-WEST	number	14	1			3	18
	%	77.78%	5.56%	0.00%	0.00%	16.67%	100.00%
TOTAL	number	132	5	82	5	31	255
	%	51.76%	1.96%	32.16%	1.96%	12.16%	100.00%

223. Despite the weak representation of women, the presence of local authorities, NGOs and religious leaders in the survey gave credence to the results obtained given the mastery of these respondents and the roles they play within the framework of sensitisation and poverty reduction activities at the local level.

• (b) Projects

224. During the review, 1087 projects were identified and ranked by order of importance. 30% of these projects do not fall within one of the seven main categories of projects. There is a predominance of projects related to the following sectors: education, road infrastructure, and health, representing 27%, 18% and 11%, respectively. However, actions in favour of electrification are less considerable (only 5%).

Table 3:

Distribution of projects identified by region

Table 3:

Distribution of projects identified by region

Province	Projects	Roads	Health Centres	Schools	Hospitals	Gov. Sec. Schools	Water	Elec.	Others	Total
Adamawa	number	8	7	19	4	5	6	4	12	65
	%	12.3%	10.8%	29.2%	6.2%	7.7%	9.2%	6.2%	18.5%	100.0%
Centre	number	27	1	11	3	2	6	13	51	114
	%	23.7%	0.9%	9.6%	2.6%	1.8%	5.3%	11.4%	44.7%	100.0%
East	number	21	1	18	3	16	2	12	29	102
	%	20.6%	1.0%	17.6%	2.9%	15.7%	2.0%	11.8%	28.4%	100.0%
Far-North	number	32	7	50	16	5	34	6	46	196
	%	16.3%	3.6%	25.5%	8.2%	2.6%	17.3%	3.1%	23.5%	100.0%
Littoral	number	43	19	19	1	30	17	9	55	193
	%	22.3%	9.8%	9.8%	0.5%	15.5%	8.8%	4.7%	28.5%	100.0%
North	number	12	8	35	2	5	8	2	17	89
	%	13.5%	9.0%	39.3%	2.2%	5.6%	9.0%	2.2%	19.1%	100.0%
North-West	number	17	1	6		2	15	3	20
	%	26.6%	1.6%	9.4%	0.0%	3.1%	23.4%	4.7%	31.3%	100.0%
West	number	12	5	13	2	1	6	1	10	50
	%	24.0%	10.0%	26.0%	4.0%	2.0%	12.0%	2.0%	20.0%	100.0%
South	number	25	29	30	6	23	4	2	63	182
	%	13.7%	15.9%	16.5%	3.3%	12.6%	2.2%	1.1%	34.6%	100.0%
South-West	number	3		3		5	2		19	32
	%	9.4%	0.0%	9.4%	0.0%	15.6%	3.6%	0.0%	59.4%	100.0%
Total	number	200	78	204	37	94	100	52	322	1087
	%	18.4%	7.2%	18.8%	3.4%	8.6%	9.2%	4.8%	29.6%	100.0%

View Table

Table 3:

Distribution of projects identified by region

Province	Projects	Roads	Health Centres	Schools	Hospitals	Gov. Sec. Schools	Water	Elec.	Others	Total
Adamawa	number	8	7	19	4	5	6	4	12	65
	%	12.3%	10.8%	29.2%	6.2%	7.7%	9.2%	6.2%	18.5%	100.0%
Centre	number	27	1	11	3	2	6	13	51	114
	%	23.7%	0.9%	9.6%	2.6%	1.8%	5.3%	11.4%	44.7%	100.0%
East	number	21	1	18	3	16	2	12	29	102
	%	20.6%	1.0%	17.6%	2.9%	15.7%	2.0%	11.8%	28.4%	100.0%
Far-North	number	32	7	50	16	5	34	6	46	196
	%	16.3%	3.6%	25.5%	8.2%	2.6%	17.3%	3.1%	23.5%	100.0%
Littoral	number	43	19	19	1	30	17	9	55	193
	%	22.3%	9.8%	9.8%	0.5%	15.5%	8.8%	4.7%	28.5%	100.0%
North	number	12	8	35	2	5	8	2	17	89
	%	13.5%	9.0%	39.3%	2.2%	5.6%	9.0%	2.2%	19.1%	100.0%
North-West	number	17	1	6		2	15	3	20
	%	26.6%	1.6%	9.4%	0.0%	3.1%	23.4%	4.7%	31.3%	100.0%
West	number	12	5	13	2	1	6	1	10	50
	%	24.0%	10.0%	26.0%	4.0%	2.0%	12.0%	2.0%	20.0%	100.0%
South	number	25	29	30	6	23	4	2	63	182
	%	13.7%	15.9%	16.5%	3.3%	12.6%	2.2%	1.1%	34.6%	100.0%
South-West	number	3		3		5	2		19	32
	%	9.4%	0.0%	9.4%	0.0%	15.6%	3.6%	0.0%	59.4%	100.0%
Total	number	200	78	204	37	94	100	52	322	1087
	%	18.4%	7.2%	18.8%	3.4%	8.6%	9.2%	4.8%	29.6%	100.0%

225. The review revealed that respondents had a poor mastery or knowledge of projects underway. As a matter of fact, few of them (10% of respondents) were able to name the 10 major projects under execution in their locality due to lack of information in this area. The worst of it was that, 27% of respondents in the sample could talk about only one project out of the ten required, while 62% could not identify more than four projects. This shows how much the grassroots population is ignorant about constant efforts made by the authorities to bring them out of poverty.

Table 4:

Number of projects identified by respondents

Table 4:

Number of projects identified by respondents

Number of projects known	Number	%
1 project	69	27.06%
2 projects	33	12.94%
3 projects	37	14.51%
4 projects	18	7.06%
5 projects	15	5.88%
6 projects	21	8.24%
7 projects	12	4.71%
8 projects	11	4.31”%
9 projects	14	5.49%
10 projects and more	25	9.80%
Total	255	100.00%

View Table

Table 4:

Number of projects identified by respondents

Number of projects known	Number	%
1 project	69	27.06%
2 projects	33	12.94%
3 projects	37	14.51%
4 projects	18	7.06%
5 projects	15	5.88%
6 projects	21	8.24%
7 projects	12	4.71%
8 projects	11	4.31”%
9 projects	14	5.49%
10 projects and more	25	9.80%
Total	255	100.00%

226. Projects cited by beneficiaries are mainly financed by the Government (45% under PIB, and 9% under HIPC funds), other sources of financing represent 23% and councils 11%. As concerns local contribution, council contributions not included, it accounts for 6% including 5% from NGOs. This shows the lack of enthusiasm by the population to finance some projects themselves.

Table 5:

Distribution of projects based on the source of financing

Table 5:

Distribution of projects based on the source of financing

Province	Source of Finance	PIB	Donor	HIPC	Religious	Community	Council	NGOs	Others	Total
Adamawa	Number	51		4			5	3	2	65
	%	78.5%	0.0%	6.2%	0.0%	0.0%	7.7%	4.6%	3.1%	100.0%
Centre	Number	30	2	12	1	1	20	8	40	114
	%	26.3%	1.8%	10.5%	0.9%	0.9%	17.5%	7.0%	35.1%	100.0%
East	Number	64	5	1			1	14	17	102
	%	62.7%	4.9%	1.0%	0.0%	0.0%	1.0%	13.7%	16.7%	100.0%
Far-North	Number	35	9	27		3	52	6	64	196
	%	17.9%	4.6%	13.8%	0.0%	1.5%	26.5%	3.1%	32.7%	100.0%
Littoral	Number	119	4	17		3	12	10	28	193
	%	61.7%	2.1%	8.8%	0.0%	1.6%	6.2%	5.2%	14.5%	100.0%
North	Number	34		5			10		40	89
	%	38.2%	0.0%	5.6%	0.0%	0.0%	28.1%	3.1%	28.1%	100.0%
North-West	Number	20		6			18	2	18	64
	%	31.3%	0.0%	9.4%	0.0%	0.0%	28.1%	3.1%	28.1%	100.0%
West	Number	11	1	13		2	4	4	15	50
	%	22.0%	2.0%	26.0%	0.0%	4.0%	8.0%	8.0%	30.0%	100.50%
South	Number	125	20	13	1	1	2	7	13	182
	%	68.7%	11.0%	7.1%	0.5%	1.1%	3.8%	7.1%	34.6%	100.0%
South-West	Number	3	10			1		1	17	32
	%	9.4u	31.3%	0.0%	0.0%	3.1%	0.0%	3.1%	53.1%	100.0%
Total	Number	492	51	98	2	11	124	55	254	1087
	%	45.3%	4.7%	9.0%	0.2%	1.0%	11.4%	5.1%	23.4%	100.0%

View Table

Table 5:

Distribution of projects based on the source of financing

Province	Source of Finance	PIB	Donor	HIPC	Religious	Community	Council	NGOs	Others	Total
Adamawa	Number	51		4			5	3	2	65
	%	78.5%	0.0%	6.2%	0.0%	0.0%	7.7%	4.6%	3.1%	100.0%
Centre	Number	30	2	12	1	1	20	8	40	114
	%	26.3%	1.8%	10.5%	0.9%	0.9%	17.5%	7.0%	35.1%	100.0%
East	Number	64	5	1			1	14	17	102
	%	62.7%	4.9%	1.0%	0.0%	0.0%	1.0%	13.7%	16.7%	100.0%
Far-North	Number	35	9	27		3	52	6	64	196
	%	17.9%	4.6%	13.8%	0.0%	1.5%	26.5%	3.1%	32.7%	100.0%
Littoral	Number	119	4	17		3	12	10	28	193
	%	61.7%	2.1%	8.8%	0.0%	1.6%	6.2%	5.2%	14.5%	100.0%
North	Number	34		5			10		40	89
	%	38.2%	0.0%	5.6%	0.0%	0.0%	28.1%	3.1%	28.1%	100.0%
North-West	Number	20		6			18	2	18	64
	%	31.3%	0.0%	9.4%	0.0%	0.0%	28.1%	3.1%	28.1%	100.0%
West	Number	11	1	13		2	4	4	15	50
	%	22.0%	2.0%	26.0%	0.0%	4.0%	8.0%	8.0%	30.0%	100.50%
South	Number	125	20	13	1	1	2	7	13	182
	%	68.7%	11.0%	7.1%	0.5%	1.1%	3.8%	7.1%	34.6%	100.0%
South-West	Number	3	10			1		1	17	32
	%	9.4u	31.3%	0.0%	0.0%	3.1%	0.0%	3.1%	53.1%	100.0%
Total	Number	492	51	98	2	11	124	55	254	1087
	%	45.3%	4.7%	9.0%	0.2%	1.0%	11.4%	5.1%	23.4%	100.0%

227. With regard to the execution of the above mentioned projects, the study revealed that beneficiaries do not know the officials in charge of the execution of projects (53% of the sample of projects retained); and if we were to add projects executed by piece workers (4%), it will be difficult to know projects that are poorly executed or even not executed at all. Just as it was observed for financing, it can be said that local communities do not participate too much in the execution of projects of their localities (1% out of the overall intervention).

Table 6:

Distribution of projects identified, based on the implementation agent

Table 6:

Distribution of projects identified, based on the implementation agent

Province	Implementation Agent	Government	Company	Council	Piece workers	NGO	Village Committee	Others	Total
ADAMAWA	Number		1	1	22	1		40	65
	%	0.0%	1.5%	1.5%	33.8%	1.5%	0.0%	61.5%	100%
CENTRE	Number	17	14	10	2	6		65	114
	%	14.9%	12.3%	8.8%	1.8%	5.3%	0.0%	57.0%	100%
EAST	Number	14	29	1	4	15		39	102
	%	13.7%	28.4%	1.0%	3.9%	14.7%	0.0%	38.2%	100%
FAR -NORTH	Number	22	43	33	16	7	5	70	196
	%	11.2%	21.9%	16.8%	8.2%	3.6%	2.6%	35.7%	100%
LITTORAL	Number	12	91	3	1	4	1	81	193
	%	6.2%	47.2%	1.6%	0.5%	2.1%	0.5%	42.0%	100%
NORTH	Number	1	22	1	1			64	89
	%	1.1%	24.7%	1.1%	1.1	0.0%	0.0%	71.9%	100%
NORT-WEST	Number		2	2		2		58	64
	%	0.0%	3.1%	3.1%	0.0%	3.1%	0.0%	90.6%	100%
WEST	Number	4	5	2		2	2	35	50
	%	8.0%	10.0%	4.0%	0.0%	4.0%	4.0%	70.0%	100%
SOUTH	Number	11	66	2		2	1	100	182
	%	6.0%	36.3%	1.1%	0.0%	1.1%	0.5%	54.9%	100%
SOUTHWEST	Number		5			3		24	32
	%	0.0%	15.6%	0.0%	0.0%	9.4%	0.0%	75.0%	100%
Total	Number	81	278	55	46	42	9	576	1087
	%	7.5%	25.6%	5.1%	4.2%	3.9%	0.8%	53.0%	100%

View Table

Table 6:

Distribution of projects identified, based on the implementation agent

Province	Implementation Agent	Government	Company	Council	Piece workers	NGO	Village Committee	Others	Total
ADAMAWA	Number		1	1	22	1		40	65
	%	0.0%	1.5%	1.5%	33.8%	1.5%	0.0%	61.5%	100%
CENTRE	Number	17	14	10	2	6		65	114
	%	14.9%	12.3%	8.8%	1.8%	5.3%	0.0%	57.0%	100%
EAST	Number	14	29	1	4	15		39	102
	%	13.7%	28.4%	1.0%	3.9%	14.7%	0.0%	38.2%	100%
FAR -NORTH	Number	22	43	33	16	7	5	70	196
	%	11.2%	21.9%	16.8%	8.2%	3.6%	2.6%	35.7%	100%
LITTORAL	Number	12	91	3	1	4	1	81	193
	%	6.2%	47.2%	1.6%	0.5%	2.1%	0.5%	42.0%	100%
NORTH	Number	1	22	1	1			64	89
	%	1.1%	24.7%	1.1%	1.1	0.0%	0.0%	71.9%	100%
NORT-WEST	Number		2	2		2		58	64
	%	0.0%	3.1%	3.1%	0.0%	3.1%	0.0%	90.6%	100%
WEST	Number	4	5	2		2	2	35	50
	%	8.0%	10.0%	4.0%	0.0%	4.0%	4.0%	70.0%	100%
SOUTH	Number	11	66	2		2	1	100	182
	%	6.0%	36.3%	1.1%	0.0%	1.1%	0.5%	54.9%	100%
SOUTHWEST	Number		5			3		24	32
	%	0.0%	15.6%	0.0%	0.0%	9.4%	0.0%	75.0%	100%
Total	Number	81	278	55	46	42	9	576	1087
	%	7.5%	25.6%	5.1%	4.2%	3.9%	0.8%	53.0%	100%

5.2.3.2. Appraisal

228. Results of the survey enable us to focus our reflection on two basic points: level of execution and impact on poverty reduction.

(a) Level of execution

229. Despite the lack of information concerning about 21% of cases, 40% of projects mentioned have been completed. The execution of other 32% projects is going on smoothly and about 8% of projects faced problems relating to effective take off. Among the projects that are still to take off, there are mainly those benefiting from rural community financing (27%), HIPC funds (23%) and other sources of financing (10%). If we all know the reasons accounting for the delay in the disbursement of HIPC funds, we can say that for other sources of financing, there are problems linked to liquidity at the treasury and lack of enthusiasm by the sources involved. With regard to follow-up, projects financed by religions groups seem to be in a better position (50% completed and 50% underway), followed by those financed by donor agencies, PIB and councils.

Table 7:

Level of execution based on the source of financing

Table 7:

Level of execution based on the source of financing

Source of financing	Level of execution	Completed	Underway	Still to take off	unexpressed	Total
OTHERS	Number	67	77	27	83	254
	%	26.4%	30.3%	10.6%	32.7%	100.0%
DONOR	Number	29	17	4	1	51
	%	56.9%	33.3%	7.8%	2.0%	100.0%
PIB	Number	235	162	19	76	492
	%	47.8%	32.9%	3.9%	15.4%	100.0%
RELIGIOUS GROUP	Number	1	1			2
	%	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%	100.0%
COMMUNITY	Number	2	5	3	1	11
	%	18.2%	45.5%	27.3%	9.1%	100.0%
COUNCIL	Number	60	24	6	34	124
	%	48.4%	19.4%	4.8%	27.4%	100.0%
NGO	Number	26	17	2	10	55
	%	47.3%	30.9%	3.6%	18.2%	100.0%
HIPC	Number	16	41	23	18	98
	%	16.3%	41.8%	23.5%	18.4%	100.0%
	Number	436	344	84	223	1087
	%	40.1%	31.6%	7.7%	20.5%	100.0%

View Table

Table 7:

Level of execution based on the source of financing

Source of financing	Level of execution	Completed	Underway	Still to take off	unexpressed	Total
OTHERS	Number	67	77	27	83	254
	%	26.4%	30.3%	10.6%	32.7%	100.0%
DONOR	Number	29	17	4	1	51
	%	56.9%	33.3%	7.8%	2.0%	100.0%
PIB	Number	235	162	19	76	492
	%	47.8%	32.9%	3.9%	15.4%	100.0%
RELIGIOUS GROUP	Number	1	1			2
	%	50.0%	50.0%	0.0%	0.0%	100.0%
COMMUNITY	Number	2	5	3	1	11
	%	18.2%	45.5%	27.3%	9.1%	100.0%
COUNCIL	Number	60	24	6	34	124
	%	48.4%	19.4%	4.8%	27.4%	100.0%
NGO	Number	26	17	2	10	55
	%	47.3%	30.9%	3.6%	18.2%	100.0%
HIPC	Number	16	41	23	18	98
	%	16.3%	41.8%	23.5%	18.4%	100.0%
	Number	436	344	84	223	1087
	%	40.1%	31.6%	7.7%	20.5%	100.0%

230. The quality of works was very good for 36% of projects identified, average for 27% of them and poor for 6%. Respondents had no opinion to express on 338 projects representing 31% of the sample. This was mainly due to their poor knowledge of ongoing activities.

Table 8:

Quality of works, based on the source of financing

Table 8:

Quality of works, based on the source of financing

Source of financing	Quality of work	Very good	Average	Poor	Unexpressed	Total
OTHERS	Number	73	49	17	115	254
	%	28.7%	19.3%	6.7%	45.3%	100.0%
DONOR	Number	35	5	6	5	51
	%	68.6%	9.8%	11.8%	9.8%	100.0%
PIB	Number	198	168	28	98	492
	%	40.2%	34.1%	5.7%	19.9%	100.0%
RELIGIOUS GROUP	Number	1			1	2
	%	50.0%	00.0%	0.0%	50.0%	100.0%
COMMUNITY	Number	1	5		5	11
	%	9.1%	45.5%	0.0%	45.5%	100.0%
COUNCIL	Number	37	30	4	53	124
	%	29.8%	24.2%	3.2%	42.7%	100.0%
NGO	Number	24	16	1	14	55
	%	43.6%	29.1%	1.8%	25.5%	100.0%
HIPC	Number	20	21	10	47	98
	%	20.4%	21.4%	10.2%	48.0%	100.0%
	Number	389	294	66	338	1087
	%	35.8%	27.0%	61%	31.1%	100.0%

View Table

Table 8:

Quality of works, based on the source of financing

Source of financing	Quality of work	Very good	Average	Poor	Unexpressed	Total
OTHERS	Number	73	49	17	115	254
	%	28.7%	19.3%	6.7%	45.3%	100.0%
DONOR	Number	35	5	6	5	51
	%	68.6%	9.8%	11.8%	9.8%	100.0%
PIB	Number	198	168	28	98	492
	%	40.2%	34.1%	5.7%	19.9%	100.0%
RELIGIOUS GROUP	Number	1			1	2
	%	50.0%	00.0%	0.0%	50.0%	100.0%
COMMUNITY	Number	1	5		5	11
	%	9.1%	45.5%	0.0%	45.5%	100.0%
COUNCIL	Number	37	30	4	53	124
	%	29.8%	24.2%	3.2%	42.7%	100.0%
NGO	Number	24	16	1	14	55
	%	43.6%	29.1%	1.8%	25.5%	100.0%
HIPC	Number	20	21	10	47	98
	%	20.4%	21.4%	10.2%	48.0%	100.0%
	Number	389	294	66	338	1087
	%	35.8%	27.0%	61%	31.1%	100.0%

(b) Impact of projects on poverty reduction

231. According to the 255 people questioned, about 51% of projects identified had a vital impact on poverty reduction, that is, 550 projects out of the 1087 concerned, as against 45 projects with below average impact on poverty reduction. One can note with satisfaction here that projects that have been well or fairly well executed are more likely to reduce poverty (74.29% and 55.44%, respectively).

Table 9:

Respondents appreciation of the quality of work executed, based on the impact on poverty reduction

Table 9:

Respondents appreciation of the quality of work executed, based on the impact on poverty reduction

Quality of work	Appreciation	Vital	Acceptable	Useless	Unexpressed	Total
Very good	Number	289	60	12	28	389
	%	74.3%	15.4%	3.1%	7.2%	100.0%
Average	Number	163	101	13	17	294
	%	55.4%	34.4%	4.4%	5.8%	100.0%
Poor	Number	26	17	19	4	66
	%	39.4%	25.8%	28.8%	6.1%	100.0%
Unexpressed	Number	72	3	1	262	338
	%	21.3%	0.9%	0.3%	77.5%	100.0%
Total	Number	550	181	45	311	1087
	%	50.6%	16.7%	4.1%	28.6%	100.0%

View Table

Table 9:

Respondents appreciation of the quality of work executed, based on the impact on poverty reduction

Quality of work	Appreciation	Vital	Acceptable	Useless	Unexpressed	Total
Very good	Number	289	60	12	28	389
	%	74.3%	15.4%	3.1%	7.2%	100.0%
Average	Number	163	101	13	17	294
	%	55.4%	34.4%	4.4%	5.8%	100.0%
Poor	Number	26	17	19	4	66
	%	39.4%	25.8%	28.8%	6.1%	100.0%
Unexpressed	Number	72	3	1	262	338
	%	21.3%	0.9%	0.3%	77.5%	100.0%
Total	Number	550	181	45	311	1087
	%	50.6%	16.7%	4.1%	28.6%	100.0%

232. If we were to exclude the direct beneficiaries of poverty reduction actions from the sample, given their poor knowledge of some local activities, the number of projects bearing vital characteristics will move from 550 to 405, and those deemed useless from 45 and 65. It is obvious that the health sector presents the most important projects in favour of the population. This sector is closely followed by the following sectors by order of importance: water, education and road infrastructure.

223. Results obtained during this experimental survey helped to measure the real impact of government’s action in favour of poverty reduction on the population. The results fall in line with the preoccupations expressed by the population during workshops held in provinces towards the end of March 2003. Efforts should be made to ensure transparency in the award of contracts and effective participation of local experts in project execution. Lack of information by grassroots population also appeared as a hindrance to the smooth intervention of Government services. Sensitisation and information programmes on Government’s actions should be intensified and perpetuated in order to solve such problems.

234. Finally, it is very important for the population to ensure ownership of various local programmes. If the process goes along with appropriate sensitisation, it will help to better orientate projects in priority sectors and towards appropriate targets.