Cross River State - CRSG Sets Up Panel to Upscale CSDA

[CrossRiverState]

The Cross River State Government has set up a panel to look into the affairs of the Community and Social development Agency, CSDA with a view to up scaling its programmes to better deliver on its mandate.

The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Peter Ojie revealed this at a meeting with Chairmen of Local Government Councils when the General Manager of the Agency, Pastor Victor Ovat made a presentation on his Agency's programmes.

Chief Ojie commended the Agency for the judicious use of funds at its disposal and for touching the life of inhabitants of interior communities in the State.He said the place of the Agency was crucial to the development of the State as Councils alone cannot fulfill all their obligations, and would therefore need other vehicles to drive the development of their respective communities.

The Commissioner expressed state Government satisfaction with the intervention by the Agency and noted that projects executed by it were in accordance with the State and World Bank standards.

Making his presentation, the General Manager of the Agency, Pastor Victor Ovat said the constraints militating against the progress of the agency included lack of Technical Support from Councils to Communities which has led to problems in several Communities.

He explained further that not much information was reaching stakeholders and the Agency on funding at that level, though, according to him, Councils were doing more that were being reported.

He said it was regrettable that health posts and schools were not adequately staffed and this he said, has made it difficult for people to make use of the interventions.

The General Manager commended the Obudu and Obanliku Local Government Area for meeting their obligations in reporting activities and called on other Councils to emulate them.

He recommended the Community Driven Development CDD, approach to Council for its effectiveness, stating that it also engenders peace in beneficiary Communities among other advantages.

Speaking separately, some Chairmen of Councils Commended the Agency's effort in taking development to the rural areas and registered their readiness to partner with the Agency for better performance.

[Nifemi Donald]

Things are done the right way over there and it is very encouraging. I wish it continues this way