Performance Evaluation of MDGs Conditional Grants Scheme in Rivers State, Nigeria

The paper highlights the report of the process and impact evaluation of the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) of the federal government of Nigeria, in Rivers State primary health care (PHCS) in the years 2008 and 2009.  The process assessment reveal that to a large the MDG office in Port Harcourt conform to the guidelines on contract award, composition of tender board, procurement process and inter agency collaboration. Investigation however reveals that the communities are not fully involved at the point of project implementation. This has created capacity under utilization of facilities in the primary health care centers, the paper recommended active collaboration between the state and the communities, as well as involvement of the private sector to enhance the sustainability of the project. Key Words: Conditional Grants Scheme (CGS), Millennium Development Goal (MDG), Procurement Process, inter agency collaboration

Impact of Government School-To-Land Agricultural Project on Rural Development in Rivers State, Nigeria

The paper assessed the impact of government school- to – Land   agricultural project on rural development in Rivers State, with specific emphasis on rural employment, livestock and food crop production and rural income generation. The simple random and purposeful sampling techniques are used in selecting 300 participants of the programme (farmers), programme coordinators, and members of host communities as respondents for the study. The simple per centage and chi-square statistical methods are adopted in data analyses and hypothesis testing. The results reveal that the school- to- land project has contributed to rural development. It was also discovered that the school –to – land project contributed to increases in the livestock and food production in the state. The paper however recommended the adoption of modern farming techniques and constant review of agricultural policies/programmes to avoid duplication of agricultural projects in the state. Key words: Rural employment, rural income generation, rural development