Beneficiaries of the USAID State2State projects, have scored organizers of the programme high for the positive impact witnessed in governance and service delivery in Ebonyi State.
This was made known to THE VOICE during the final review meeting of the projects.
The projects implemented by the Development Integrity Goal foundation and USAID State2State is focused on health, education and Water Sanitation sand Hygiene, WASH.
It also aimed at promoting Civic participation in governance, increased service delivery and accountability among public servants.
In the event, beneficiaries noted that the program has increased citizens participation in governance through engagement, trainings and effective advocacies, adding that political representatives were beginning to be more accountable to their constituents in the State.
Speaking one of the participants, the traditional Prime Minister of Nkaliki Echara Community in Abakaliki LGA, Chief George Nwibo stated that the through the relentless sensitization by DIG foundation and USAID, his community’s needs in the 2023 budget has been captured.
” They are gradually transforming our society to be a better place. I wish to urge them to keep it up; development is gradual process” , he stated
Participants who spoke include , Reverend Vincent Nwachukwu of the Methodist Care Ministry, George Etamesor of Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Center and Hajiya Saidatu Ajah of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria, among others.
They expressed delights over the impact of the projects staying that it has strengthen collaboration and cooperation among all CSOs in the State.
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In the same vein, Rosemary Ezeubi of Radio Nigeria, Unity FM, Abakaliki, Oswald Agwu and Chidinma Imo-Eze all media practitioners, noted that the programme have empowered them to their Civic obligation as journalists.
“As a journalist, the DIG activities have exposed the powers I have to go beyond reporting, to taking active part in community engagements.
“Taking part in USAID/DIG’ Community Charter of Demand development and other such innovations have been rewarding, providing a platform for Citizens’ inputs in budgeting process better than mere media reporting” Agwu added.
The Executive Director of DIG Foundation , Oliver Ajah Chima, while speaking on the objectives of the meeting said it was to conduct final review of the USAID-S2S supported project of DIG in Ebonyi State.
He added that the essence was to create understanding on the impact of the projects, share experiences and lessons learnt, as well as strengthen opportunities for further partnership among CSOs and State actors in Ebonyi State.
He maintained that through Civic participation, DIG foundation have rated one of the strong and vibrant CSOs in the State .
Appraising further the activities of DIG, the State2State Citizens Engagement and Capacity Building Specialist in Ebonyi State, Dr. Ibiam Azu Agwu noted that DIG success stories are among the most rated in the global page.
Agwu charged MDAs, CSOs, the Media and other partners to sustain the tempo.
“Part of what State2State did was to give value. The first activity we did, I said we will do other meetings were we will bring MDAs and CSOs for everybody to understand the value we have for each other. What value CSOs can add to the MDAs. Rather than each time we come to meetings, CSOs will be the on one table accusing MDAs of doing this, of doing that, and MDA will say we don’t even want their problem, we don’t want to see you,” he stated.
