The Edo State Community and Social Development Agency (Edo-CSDA) has organized a training session for members of the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC), aimed at equipping them with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage community-driven development projects.
Declaring the session open, the General Manager of the Agency, Ms. Ivie Idahosa, emphasized the importance of grassroot participation and community ownership in project implementation.
“I believe my team has already briefed you on why we are here today. I want to assure you that we have a Governor who cares, a Governor who listens, and who is committed to ensuring that development starts from the grassroot. That is why you are all here today, and he is working through our Agency to make this vision a reality.
”The purpose of this Committee is simple, our approach in this Agency is to involve the community at every stage. You are not just beneficiaries of these projects, you are owners. When a project is completed and handed over, it becomes your responsibility to maintain it, because without a culture of maintenance, nothing can last. That is why we have organized this training to ensure that you understand the process, play an active role and take full ownership of the projects in your communities”. She said.
Ms. Idahosa further urged CPMC Chairmen to work closely with other members of the Committee, “We also expect the Committee Chairmen to work hand in hand with their members, ensuring inclusiveness and carrying everyone along. Where there are issues or concerns, let us know so that we can resolve them together. My team will continue to educate and guide you on the purpose of this Committee and how we can work in partnership to achieve the goals we have set.
”Importantly, the projects we are implementing today are not imposed on you. They are the needs you identified for your community, nobody forced them on you. This is why we must all join hands to work together and make life better for our people. I sincerely appreciate your presence here today and I thank you for your commitment to making these projects succeed”. She concluded.
on his part, the Operations Manager of the Agency, Barr. Imoudu Longe provided an overview of the history of Edo-CSDA, explaining the step-by-step procedures involved in project execution. He highlighted the use of the Participatory Rural Appraisal approach, which ensures that the real and pressing needs of communities are identified before projects are embarked upon. According to him, this method fosters accountability, ownership and sustainability of projects at the grassroot level.
The training also featured lectures delivered by various Project Officers of the Agency, who took participants through critical aspects of micro-project implementation. These included accounts and financial management, audit processes, procurement procedures, monitoring, environmental management, social safeguard management, grievance mechanism management, as well as mainstreaming gender and vulnerable groups in project execution. The session also emphasized maintenance and sustainability as vital components of long-term community development.
Participating communities at the training included Ehor in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, Ezomon and Ebo in Oredo Local Government Area, Imade-Aduwawa in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area and Efandion-Uwangue in Esan North East Local Government Area.
The training was designed to give CPMC members practical tools to manage resources effectively, promote transparency and ensure that projects deliver lasting impact in their communities.
Gloria Agbongiasede
Public Relations Officer
Edo-CSDA
PHOTO CAPTION
2nd Left: Edo-CSDA General Manager, Ms. Ivie Idahosa; 3rd Left : Operations Manager Edo-CSDA, Barr. Imoudu Longe; 2nd Right: the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Mr. Femi Ikhabafe, during the presentation of Project Approval Letters to communities during the CPMC training.
