By Gloria Agbongiasede
The Edo State Community and Social Development Agency (Edo-CSDA) has concluded plans to construct and renovate boreholes, classrooms, offices and staff quarters within primary health care (PHCs) facilities in 20 communities across 16 local government areas (LGAs) of the State.
To ensure the viability of the project sites and their appropriateness, the Agency has initiated a field appraisal endeavour to assess the feasibility of the projects and suitability of proposed locations within the various project sites in the State. A team of technical experts from the Edo-CSDA joined by officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including Education, SUBEB, Roads and Bridges, Health, Primary Healthcare Development, Environment, and Water Resources, were out to ensure that proposed projects are in harmony with Government’s policies in their respective domains, as well as scrutinize the suitability of their sites. The meticulous efforts are aimed at preempting any hurdles that might arise during projects execution.
Speaking during the exercise, the Team Lead and Operations Manager of Edo-CSDA, Barr, Imodu Longe, emphasized that the field appraisal process is a collaboration that brings together the Agency and officers from line MDAs to align proposed projects with the policies and guidelines of each relevant department, ensuring harmony between projects and the government’s vision as well as to gauge the feasibility of projects and the suitability of respective sites.
Barr. Longe highlighted Edo-CSDA’s role as pivotal as it actively involves and consults with benefitting communities in the process of deciding on community development projects in their respective domains. In his words, “At the core of this strategy lies community engagement, triggered by the communities themselves, expressing their interest in potential projects. Subsequently, Edo-CSDA initiates community interaction through a process termed ‘Needs Assessment’. In this phase, the Agency collaborates with the community to identify essential requirements. From these discussions, a pair of micro-projects are chosen for execution.
“Following this selection, a comprehensive implementation strategy is crafted and upon its completion, this plan undergoes evaluation by the local government. Should the project align with the development agenda, approval is granted, paving the way for a technical appraisal, post-appraisal; a detailed report is compiled by desk officers, summarizing their findings and conclusions.”
Discussing the steps for project approval and execution, Barr. Longe explained thus: “It begins with the Need Assessment, which will prompt the Agency’s Management resolve to formally endorse the project, informed by input from the desk officers. At the execution stage is a committee of four persons constituted by the community, comprising a chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and a financial secretary. The Committee will be in charge of going to the bank to get money for executing the project upon consultation with Edo-CSDA.
“While the Committee is implementing the project, staff of the Agency will embark on monitoring of the project to ensure that they follow the agreed plan and specifications as well as the judicious use of the funds. Upon completion, we train them on sustaining such projects, so that when we pullout, when we are done with the project implementation, the community should be able to maintain and sustain the project.”
Communities visited include Erhunrun in Akoko-Edo; Imiegba in Etsako East; Sabongida-Ora in Owan West; Ogba-nugu, Okogbo, and Evboehighae in Orhionmwon; Udo in Ovia South-East; Ugbineh, Uhen, and Obarenren in Ovia North-East. Others are Ikpe, Evbovoen, and Evbomodu in Ikpoba Okha; Iguogbe in Uhunmwode; Iyekogbe in Esan Central; Ebhoiyi in Esan North-East; Ohordua in Esan South-East; Obodeko in Igueben; and Ujiogba in Esan West.
Edo-CSDA’s multi-pronged strategy embodies the essence of collaborative development, where Government’s initiatives and community aspirations converge to create rapid and sustainable development in communities. It is hoped that as these projects unfold and communities thrive, Edo-CSDA will set a compelling example for effective people-centric development in Edo State.
