From WILLIE ATTAH, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has approved the execution of various projects in 200 communities in the state.
The projects will cut across health, education, water, nutrition and erosion control through the Gombe State Community and Social Development Agency’s NG-CARES Covid-19 programme. It is aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
General Manager of CSDA, Malam Haruna Ahmed Imam, disclosed this at the commencement of a comprehensive training workshop to enhance the capacity of Community and Group Management Committees of communities selected for the execution of the projects.
The workshop/training was meant also to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively carry out the projects, ensure its successful implementation and sustainability.
It was also designed to cover a wide range of topics such as, project management, resource mobilization, community engagement and sustainable development practices which were facilitated by experts in project and finance management and community development, monitoring and evaluation and other related fields.
The facilitators shared best practices and tailored guidance to address the specific needs of the selected communities.
However, the General Manager explained that the NG-CARES programme execution in Gombe State commenced with seven communities and expanded to twenty-eight, then to seventy-seven and now to two hundred communities.
According to him, this is a testament to the Gombe State Government’s commitment in bringing succour to the poor and vulnerable as evidenced by the consistent release of funds and support to the agency.
He emphasized the agency’s commitment to fostering community empowerment through collaborative projects.
Manager, Finance and Administration of the agency, Malam Ibrahim Abubakar Gwani, explained that the participating communities sought support for the execution of various projects. And after being selected, there was a need for them to own the project and execute it judiciously.
A cross section of participants at the training which include Aliko Abdullahi, the Village Head of Kwami, Maryam Sani, from Kurugu community and Garba Idris from Zangoma Ngubdo community who were visibly overwhelmed with the development, said most of the benefiting communities lacked basic amenities with no government presence.
They expressed gratitude to Governor Inuwa Yahaya and equally thanked the CSDA for following the directives of the governor by selecting the poorest and most vulnerable communities.
Prior to the training, the agency had conducted NEEDS assessment in all the communities as directed by the State Governor.
The Gombe State Agency for Community and Social Development (CSDA), is one of the platforms in the state for the implementation of the NG-CARES programme domesticated as GO-CARES.
