The Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme in Ekiti State has inaugurated Grievance Redress Committees (GRC) in 51 Communities across nine (9) Local Government Areas of the State.
The inauguration was conducted in communities with SURWASH intervention projects in :Ado, Ijero, Oye,Ikole, Ekiti West, Aiyekire, Ilejemeje,Moba and Irepodun Ifelodun Local Government Areas with maximum of eight members each and saddled with the responsibility of receiving complaints and handling any misunderstanding that may likely come up within the Communities during implementation of the projects.
The Programme is designed to strengthen relevant institutions, sectors and policies to ultimately increase and improve access to Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene in the state.
GRCs was constituted as one of the key aspects to be considered under Environmental and Social Safeguard unit of the programme before the commencement of civil works at projects sites.
The Technical Adviser on Social Safeguard, Olatunde Adesua explained that the first levels and procedures of mediation and resolution at the Community levels are expected to be carried out within ten working days and if the Grievance is not resolved within the stipulated time, it would be cascaded to the next level, which is the Local Government level to be headed by Local Government Chairman together with the LGA WASH Department, if not resolved within another ten working days, it shall be taken to SPIU GRC, level, if the complainant is not satisfied.
The eight-member- committee which was constituted within each community is saddled with the responsibility of receiving complaints and settling disagreement that may arise within their limited control before and during implementation among the beneficiary Communities.
The committee at LGA level has the responsibility of registering complaints, investigate, recommend an action and turn in their monthly reports on grievances received, resolved, pending and unresolved to the SPIU GRC members.
The programme Coordinator, Engineer Adewumi Stephen, thanked the nominated members for volunteering themselves to serve and render a voluntary service at their community levels.
One of the traditional rulers of the beneficiary Communities, Oba Awe Idowu Ezekiel, Olojebu of Oke Ijebu Agege Ekiti, expressed appreciation to the State Government and the development partner for their support, pledging their cooperation towards achieving the set goals and ensuring the success and sustainability of SURWASH Programme in the State.
The constituted members of the committee includes: Traditional Rulers or any member of traditional cabinet, Women leaders, Youth Leaders, Representatives of WASHCOM, representatives of Water Consumer Association (WCA), as well as Community Based Organization (CBOs).