Public education, key to maintenance and sustainability of community projects

By Mojisola Oladele

There is a strong need for journalists to educate communities on the maintenance and sustainability of the community projects executed by the government.

The General Manager of the Osun State Community and Social Development Agency, CSDA, Mrs. Funmi Abokede stated this during a media engagement on the “Programme for Result and Osun Cares Programme” implementation held in Osogbo.

Mrs. Abokede who explained that the media is a major stakeholder in spreading information, expressed the readiness of the agency to partner with the media on educating and informing the various communities on the essence of the projects executed by the government in their domains.

She emphasized that the state government under the administration of Senator Ademola Adeleke has spent over 2 billion naira for the execution of 267 micro-projects across the state in order, to ensure basic and social amenities were enjoyed in both the urban and rural communities.

Mrs. Abokede noted that the Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, CARES, project of the agency would focus on the provision of water, education, health care and sanitation.

“The mission and vision of the agency is to care for the poor and those in need in many communities across the state through the provision of basic amenities such as water, and health facilities, and ensure presence of government gets to grassroots”.

“The state government had committed about 2 billion naira for the completion of over 267 micro projects across the state this year” she added.

She emphasised that the government had assisted the agency with the development of a centre to enable people with disabilities to showcase their abilities in different trades.

Delivering a paper titled “Social, Environmental and Grievances Issues”, the Operations Manager, Osun CSDA, Mr. Felix Akinwande said there is a need to identify opportunities targeted at improving the lives of the population in the area of influence of a project.

Radio Nigeria correspondent reports that journalists were conducted around some CSDA projects in Agurodo, Ejigbo Local Government, Igbotele, Odo-Otin and Disability Village, Testing Ground Area, Osogbo.

At the Disability Village, the representative of the Adire section, a visually-impaired person, Mr. Adebayo Muritala appreciated the state government and the management of Osun CSDA for their usual support.

“If the government can assist us with grants, we would be able to produce the Adire in larger quantities which will help us pay the salary of workers in the disability village” he explained.

Mr Muritala added that Osogbo is known for tie and dye making, hence the need for more assistance from the government to help sustain the legacy.

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