The Midterm Team Leader Mr. Hans Erickson (1^ST right) and his Colleagues in a discussion with the Executive Chairman of Nsit Ibom LGA, Hon. (Elder) Joshua E. Asuquo (in caftan) who represented the Chairmen of the LGAs in Akwa Ibom State at the Forum.

SUMMARY OF THE MID TERM EVALUATION:

The midterm evaluation team from M&E Consultants led by Mr. Hans Erickson arrived Akwa Ibom DMU office on the 11th of June, 2010. Their itineraries were:

• The meeting at the State Ministry of Economic Development where they met with the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Akpanim Ekpe in the company of the State UNDP desk officer. The evaluation team requested to know from the Permanent Secretary the State government’s impression of the programme, their readiness to partner with the European Union, their level of commitment and their assessment of the programme performance in the State.

• A session with the Executive Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Council in company of other Council executives. The evaluation team requested the Chairman and his team to brief them of their assessment of the Programme projects, degree of acceptability, their expectations and suggestions to ensure success and transparency.

• An interactive meeting with the DMU management staff at the DMU office in Uyo. The session afforded the Consultants the platform to enquire about the operations of the DMU office, DMU relationship with the PMU, DMU’s progress report pattern, DMU’s relationship with the Programme’ stakeholders in the State, DMU’s problems thus far and prospect for the future. They also enquired about the DMU’s comments of the Programme progress and requested for possible suggestions to fast track the programme.