INTERIM AUDIT REPORT : OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTER, LOGOS, NIGERIA, CONTRACT NO. AID/AFR-653, T.O. NO. 3

OIC is a prototype vocational training program being developed under a contract with OIC/International. The OIC is patterned after an approach which has proven successful in many US cities. Essentially, the approach is to tailor vocational training to existing manpower needs and to provide remedial education, counseling, and job placement services. Original plans were that once AID"s financial input was completed, the training center would be fully supported from private sources. Now it appears that the private community is unwilling to provide the necessary support and that for a significant part of its budget the training center will require permanent government support. But, the project does not appear to be in accord with Nigerian development priorities and there are indications that additional vocational training facilities are not needed. Thus, substantial Nigerian government support might not be forthcoming. Auditors believe that unless some assurance of adequate future support is obtained, the USAID should consider early termination of its support. The project has not achieved its interim targets and it appears that the training center will be unable to meet its ultimate objective of graduating 300 vocational trainees per year. The total enrollment target for 1973 was 300. As of 7/31/73, actual enrollment was 185. The OIC has failed to achieve its outputs because of delays in initiating the feeder program (remedial education) and the lack of a vocational training facility until early FY 1973. In addition, OIC/International has been unable to maintain a full technical assistance team in the field. The contractor has also been unable to attract and keep a full complement of Nigerian teachers and administrative staff. USAID"s management of project and contract activities was ineffective. Planning was not realistic; PAR"s and contractor evaluations were not performed as required; and the day-to-day monitoring activities did not appear to be up to standard.