Ekiti State Government has solicited the support of Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) and the media for the successful implementation of the World Bank assisted programme , 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 programme and some members of the CSOs and the Media practitioners, the team leader, Mr. Cornelius Eniola explained that the
meeting was in recognition of their critical role in ensuring the success of the programme, 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
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 programme.
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 programme.
He therefore urged participants not to only actively contribute to
the programme 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 programme, the Technical Assistant on Environmental Safeguard of the State Programme Implementation Unit, Mr Akinduntire Adewole explained that the SURWASH program was designed as “programme 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, Ado Ekiti pledged the support of the media for the success of the programme
She however stressed the need for the State Programme Implementation
Unit to be proactive in managing information and keep the media
abreast of its plans and activities.
Olofe Abiodun