Eight communities, vulnerable groups benefit from KGSG's N143million CSDA funds »

…as communities award Gov Bello “Champion of Community Development”

Eight communities that cut across the three senatorial districts, alongside widow groups on Tuesday received cash grants from the Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) to embark on various community and group development projects.

These would be in addition to the previously executed over 400 community and group projects by the Agency ranging sectors like Education, infrastructure, social amenities and others

Governor Bello who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade noted that this was part of his government’s plan to eradicate poverty and engage in the efficient rural area development.

The governor noted that although the previous projects were World Bank funded but the newly flagged off Community Driven Development initiative was being fully funded by the Kogi state Government after the world Bank fund was judiciously exhausted.

He noted that Kogi state government continued the funding in a bid to further key into the poverty reduction plan of the President Buhari administration as well as other well meaning people focused programmes initiated and executed by the state government.

While presenting the funds to the benefiting communities and vulnerable groups, the governor emphasized that the fund was a grant and not a loan, hence the community would not have to repay while he urged community leaders to use the funds for the benefit of the community.

He mentioned that every fund would be followed through until implementation while the agency under the supervision of the Secretary to the State Government, would monitor the communities to ensure accountability.

Chairman Board of Directors Kogi State Community and Social Development Agency, Hon Raphael O Okomoda noted that the aim was to reduce poverty in the various community adding that communities and groups first expressed interest by applying to the agency for intervention before selection.

He noted that after critical analysis, community and groups were trained on project management before implementation and the disbursement of funds as such steps were taken after asserting and certifying these communities and groups ready.

The Board chairman thanked the government for the continued support the Agency has received adding that this was the first time in history that the state Funded Community and Social development programme fully.

The Governor at the event was awarded by the community as the “champion of Community Development” owing to the several intervention rendered to various communities across the state, the Agency also presented to the governor, the award it received nationally as the second best state government funding community and social development programs.

Representatives from benefiting communities thanked the governor for his concern shown to rural communities and mostly to the vulnerable in the state, they promised to use the funds for what it has been designated for which would benefit the community and groups.