Niamey department development project in Niger needs more management attention

Audit report covers the period 6/81-12/82 and is based on document review, site visits, and discussions with GON and USAID/N officials. Serious problems have hampered project implementation. Although four farmer couple training centers, (CPT"s) the project"s focal point, were established, over half of the CPT"s 150 graduates have used less than 15% of the technical package taught them, and farmers have relied on single package elements at the expense of others. Trainee follow-up has been inadequate and has not given priority to the most recent graduates. The development credit fund was suspended in 10/82 due to unresolved accounting and operating problems, and $815,000 in A.I.D. funds remains unaccounted for. At the cooperative and arrondissement levels, stock record cards for agricultural inputs were not maintained and inventories could not be reconciled with accounting records, pointing to basic commodity management flaws at all levels of the GON supply system. The blacksmith training program was suspended in 1/82 for lack of a qualified instructor and A.I.D.-funded equipment has not been used effectively. Plans to implement a system of village-based management organizations, extend the CPT"s, and develop programs for adaptive research and women in development remain incomplete. There have been shortcomings in various project management elements - the monitoring and evaluation unit is not working effectively, annual workplans and monthly reports have not been given adequate attention, and an evaluation data collection system has not been established. The GON is not meeting its financial commitment and its ability to do so in the future is doubtful. As of 11/82, the GON contribution due was XOF 406.8. USAID/N"s management of the construction program has been weak. Some required site inspections were not made and detailed working drawings were not available for inspection. The use of substandard construction materials and poor workmanship make the structural soundness of completed facilities questionable. Also, ineligible construction items were financed and procedures for competitive bidding and A.I.D. approval were not followed. Twenty recommendations address the above issues.