The joint wrap-up meeting of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the World Bank was held on Friday, August 18th 2023 in Abuja, to conclude the 10th Implementation Support Mission of the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project.
The wrap-up meeting, hosted by the International Economic Relations Department (IERD) of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget & Planning; was an avenue to present and discuss the Aide Memoire which summarizes the mission’s findings, implementation issues that require government attention and provides an overview of the status of project implementation and progress towards achieving Project Development Objective (PDO).
The summary of the Aide-Memoire was presented on behalf of the World Bank by Task Team Leader, Dr. Manievel E. Sene, at the wrap-up meeting chaired by the Director, International Economic Relations Department, (IERD) represented by Deputy Director, IDA – Mr. Steve Ohaeri.
In his remarks, Mr. Ohaeri welcomed and thanked all the Project teams for the good job done in the effective implementation of the project so far.
Task Team Leader, Dr. Sene while sharing highlights of the Aide Memoire congratulated the APPEALS Team for a very good performance, noting that the project has done very well in all it components and further thanked the Government of Nigeria for their role in the successful conduct of the mission. “The mission went very well. The project is rated satisfactory considering the high level of achievement of the PDO. The targets of the three key performance indicators have been achieved and surpassed”. “We want to close the project very smoothly by addressing any issues that can delay smooth closure”, Sene added.
National Project Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Jobdi appreciated all key stakeholders especially the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, the World Bank and the entire project team for their contributions to the outstanding performance recorded by the project so far.
Earlier, the team was received on a courtesy visit to the new Director, IERD – Mr. Stanley N. George in his office, shortly before the commencement of the wrap-up meeting.
In attendance: World Bank Task Team, Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; FMARD Projects Coordinating Unit (PCU); Management and Staff of the APPEALS Project and other stakeholders.