The Biodun Oyebanji-led government in Ekiti State has solicited the support of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media for the successful implementation of the World Bank assisted program, Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) aimed at improving access to water supply, sanitation and hygiene services in the State.
Speaking during an interactive consultation between a team of consultants involved in the program and some members of the CSOs and the Media practitioners, the team lead, Mr. Cornelius Eniola explained that the meeting was in recognition of their critical role in ensuring the success of the program, noting their proximity to the grassroots as well as their social impact on the people.
Eniola added that the meeting was part of citizens’ engagement and social accountability designed to identify and address some inadequacies in previous similar projects.
Noting that the State Program Implementation Unit had conducted similar interactive meetings with different categories of stakeholders including Accounting Officers of relevant Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); Local Government Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Eniola said that all stakeholders would be duly engaged to achieve maximum success for the program.
He stressed the importance of proper grassroots communication to enhanced government/citizens relationship and communities taking ownership which leads to immeasurable and sustainable improvement in project outcome.
Eniola assured that the consultation would be continuous, stressing that no stone would be left unturned towards ensuring the success of the program.
He therefore urged participants to, not only actively contribute to the program but to utilize knowledge acquired at the forum to the benefit of the communities.
Making clarification on the difference between the previous intervention and the SURWASH program, the Technical Assistant on Environmental Safeguard of the State Program Implementation Unit, Mr. Akinduntire Adewole explained that the SURWASH program was designed as “Program for Result” (P for R) whereby the World Bank would reimburse the State for money spent after proper verification to determine if the project was properly executed and considered impactful.
One of the participants, Mrs. Adeigba Adefunke from Progress FM in Ado Ekiti pledged the support of the media for the success of the program.She however stressed the need for the State Program ImplementationUnit to be proactive in managing information and keep the media abreast of its plans and activities.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
