AKSG, FG dialogue on policy for Community Driven Development 

By Christopher Tom, Uyo

The Minister of finance, Budget and Financial planning Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed has charged south-south and south-east stakeholders of community driven development to invest their vast knowledge of CDD In developing policies what will be in the best interest of future generations, immediate Communities, region and Nigeria as a whole, informing them that the presidency and Federal Executive Council awaits completed policies to be used as compass to navigate developmental projects for Nigerian communities.

The Honorable Minister represented by the Special Adviser to the minister Mrs Elizabeth Ebosele made this revelation during the opening ceremony of the Federal Project Support Unit’s “Stakeholders On Community Driven Development” workshop hosted by the Akwa Ibom State Agency for Community and Social Development, at Watbridge Hotel,  Uyo.

The Honorable Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr Akan Okon in his address welcomed the Honorable Minister for Finance, Budget and Financial Planning, the National Co-ordinator, Federal project support unit (FPSU) Mr Abdulkarim Obaje and his team, Board members and General Managers of Community Development Agencies, Ace Community development experts, finance experts from the Federal ministry of Finance and other financial institutions, legal minds and Academicians from different part of Nigeria gathered to brainstorm, dialogue and produce substantial guidelines for sustainable community developmental practices. He reassured them of continuous co-operation of the Akwa Ibom state government stating that prompt payment of Counterpart funds and a hundred percent attention to donor agency activities and challenges was evidence of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s determination to develop Akwa Ibom Communities.

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The General Manager, Akwa Ibom state Agency for Community and Social Development (CSDP) Mr. Ishmeal Akpan appreciated the Co-ordinators for choosing his state to host such a prestigious workshop, for giving their best to and trusting the grassroot people’s determination and ability to select projects tailored to their specific needs and self executing  with funds made available by the Project.

Mr. Akpan welcomed participants and gave them assurance of a blissful stay in the peaceful city while inviting them to consider more business and leisure visits as well as invest in the state.

Representing the National Coordinator, FPSU, Mr Abubakar Yusuf commended the Akwa Ibom state government for practicing the best Covid-19 safety protocol he has seen, citing the de-contamination chambers at the Victor Attah International Airport and others On-board Ibom Airplanes which has evidently resulted in the state’s victory over the deadly virus. He adviced participants of the two-day workshop to suggest universal  policies that would alliviate socio-economic developmental deficiencies in every part of Nigeria and not ones peculiar to their state or Geo-political zone.

The Community and social development workshop was coordinated by a Cerebral, erudite scholar, an academician and a proud son of Akwa Ibom, Prof. Gabriel Umoh while  Legal expert, Barr. Enobong Etuk was responsible for the review and guidance of participants as they worked on policy draft.