RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH CSOs FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
DESIRE LORDSON
Rivers State Government has expressed preparedness to collaborate with Civil Society Organizations to achieve sustainable development in the Society.
This was made known at a forum in Port Harcourt to mark the close out event of a five year project of Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation, ACT.
The Rivers State Governor Siminalaye Fubara who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Durokume Ishmeal, appreciated the sponsors and organizers of the project, maintaining that the State Government will do all within its reach to sustain the legacy which the program has left in the State.
A Representative from the State Ministry of Agriculture and the Head of Livelihood, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, Mrs. Josephine Nzidea, representing HYPREP Coordinator, Professor Nenibarine Zarbey, called for responsibility from citizens in protecting the gains from the ACT.
Some Civil Society Organizations, including a representative of Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development, Mr. Josiah Egbulika, testified of the robust impact that ACT had on communities by aiding Capacity trainings which benefitted, women, girls, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable communities.
Earlier the ACT National Programs Manager, Mr. Damilare Babalola gave insight to the goals of the project in the State and in the Country at large.
He said the project is funded by the European Union delegation to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, implemented by the British Council supporting Civil Society Organizations to become more credible and more effective agent of Sustainable Development.
The forum also had in attendance Traditional Rulers, Corporate Bodies, Civil Society Organizations and the Media.
