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The Commissioner for the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina, officially launched the implementation support mission for the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024. In addition to evaluating activities related to digital payments and food security targeting, the mission's main goals are to assess the project's implementation progress, start a mid-term review, and examine the project's wider impact on Sierra Leone's social protection landscape.
Prior to the official commencement of the Implementation support, Ambassador Ndomahina reaffirmed commitment as the team prepared for the midterm review of the PSSNYE project, he welcomed the World Bank to take stock of progress made so far since the last mission held in March this year. After that mission, he noted, the World Bank issued an Aide Memoire that urged the Government of Sierra Leone to accelerate implementation and achieve results under all Components.
*‘’NaCSA has reported significant milestones in implementing the Social Safety Net (SSN) and Economic Inclusion component of the PSSNYE since April 2024. The bank will receive a detailed report on these milestones, addressing the causes of delays and outlining the next steps for each activity. Progress has been made in implementing critical components of the PSSNYE, including the cash transfer for the aged, which was implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Social Security (MELSS). However, difficulties were encountered in the delivery of payments to vulnerable beneficiaries. The Commission worked with the payment service provider and the National Telecommunications Agency (NaTCA) to resolve these issues, and payments for the aged began in early October.’’* Ndomahina Noted.
He further stated that the Commission also made substantial progress in implementing component 2, the Green Public Works (GPW), which involved over 2000 youths in tree planting and garbage collection subprojects. The GPW has been rolled out in six municipalities under the Labour-Intensive Public Works component, and technical sessions are being conducted to develop implementation frameworks. *‘’The commission has initiated the pilot for the Sustainable Cash for Work program. The World Bank has agreed to support this process, and stakeholder engagement meetings have been held with provincial cities to develop a roadmap for GPW implementation’’*. He ended.
The mission's leaders; Abu Kargbo and Samik Adhikari noted that the World Bank will continue to provide the financial and technical support needed for the successful implementation of the project. From the UNICEF side, Mona Korsgard, Chief of Evidence, Policy and Social Protection for UNICEF Sierra Leone noted that the agency’s commitment to actualizing the aspirations of the project remains untouched.
Heads of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Including the Minister of Youth Affairs, the Statistician General, the Deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Commissioner for the National Youth Commission committed to enhancing the efficiency of the project.
*With the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA – Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa,* The mission continues till Tuesday 10th December 2024 during which, operational, programmatic and strategic pointers will be discussed.
*For further information on this and other matters, please contact the Information, Education and Communication Unit:* *+23277022709/+23230518539* www.nacsa.gov.sl*
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