Shettima visits Borno Agency, briefed on 45 CSDP, GDP targets

Governor Kashim Shettima has paid a visit to the newly established Borno State Community and Social Development Agency (BOCSDA).

Received by the General Manager, Hon. Chiroma Usman, the Governor took an assessment tour round the agency, inspecting the offices and facilities.

Earlier, the General Manager of the BOCSDA, Hon. Usman Chiroma had adequately briefed the Governor on the activities of the Agency from last August when it was established to date in collaboration with the World Bank - The 2nd & 3rd Quarter Implementation Progress Report.

He explained the Deliverables, Management and Administrative issues (Poverty Map, Meetings held, Trainings held, & other activities), Capacity and Partnerships (Sensitization of LGAs, Various Trainings, LGAs supporting their communities, Communities supported by their LGAs, and Grouos Supported by their LGAs).

Chiroma also presented some challenges encountered; security, ethnicity, misperception of the Agency as an NGO, and trust-building in relation to how communities have mixed feelings over the trustworthiness of some NGOs working in their communities.

The GM expressed the deliverables so far of the pproval of Local Government interventions based on state poverty ranking, approval and funding of thirty (30) multi sectoral community development plans (CDP) and fifteen (15) group development plans (GDP), and capacity building of relevant stakeholders (MDA & LGA Staff), so also the lessons learnt; “Communities and groups were in dare need of intervention. This was inferred from the sensitization visits and confirmed during PRA. Therefore CDD “the new kid in town” embraced by all and sundry with open hands but is alien to most communities making It very tasking sensitizing and re-sensitizing before having head ways”.

Hon. Chiroma concluded with the way forward; “Involvement of armed security escort and accelerated security clearance from the various security organizations to enable the SA keep to its work plan as approved by the Bank,

“A strong synergy between the LGAs and SA as well as other stakeholders in the LGAs with a view to complementing the SA with all the necessary support, and

“Continuous sensitization on the importance of unity and harmony as a pivot for the success of this project. Therefore, community/group members should be encouraged to establish a strong cordial relationship amongst themselves despite their tribal differences” he said.

CSDP is a poverty Focused Project in an attempt of ending poverty in most of our communities ravaged by the Boko Haram insurgency.