By Odedele Eunice Yinka
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Introduction and background:

This project was put up by Afrihealth Optonet Association  funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) to carry out Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. The project was very challenging but, the organizations under my supervision in the three communities worked relentlessly with a resolve to reach the grassroots with intervention strategies.

The organizations in the three communities worked assiduously and traversed the length and breadth of the terrains within their project communities to reach out to the stakeholders with different strategies and for awareness purpose.

   This project in all the three communities was strategically monitored and supervised by the organisation, Gender Equality, and the Girl Child Development Foundation (GEGCDF) the non government organisation engaged by the Implementing Agent, Afrihealth Optonet Association with funding from the United Nations Democracy  Fund (UNDEF)

The Executive Director of Gender Equality and Girl Child Development Foundation is appreciative of the project coming to Ondo state as it has open up the fact that citizens participation in governance at all levels will bring more development to our communities.

Goal of project:

This was to carry out community mobilization and participation towards sustainable project implementation using participation of the people of the communities in setting development and democratic agenda for good governance in the communities.

Activities:

*             Take off of SCPP project in Ondo state was with an advocacy visit to the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Information to brief government  on the project

*             General meeting with all participants in the project for proper briefing by the National Coordinator of Afrihealth Optonet, Dr .Adirieje. Training  followed with participants to get acquainted with intricacies of all to be done on the field so as to  be able to empower the communities on the essence of their involvement in governance for development

*             Community entry and holding of Town Hall Meetings in the three communities of Bolorunduro, Ilaramokin and Oba-ile

                Project  objectives:

*             To carry out project implementation and do stakeholders analysis.

*             To identify the strength of the stakeholders towards implementation of selected projects

*             To achieve success of the communities’ buy-in into SCPP project in the communities.

*             To promote a concept of Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) i.e. institutionalization of citizen participation in local governance, decision-making, development and democratic processes in the communities.

*             To promote a concept of sustainable citizen participation (SCP) at the community level.

*             To analyse  level, of awareness of the communities on Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) concept and secure future support from stakeholders, such as, traditional leaders, NGOs, and local government officials in the communities.

Details Description Of Activities:

*             Take off of SCPP project in Ondo state was with an advocacy visit to the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Information for briefing of government  on the project.

                Members were given opportunity in the three communities to contribute their opinions. The community consultative committees were made to put heads together on all activities that were identified. This will impact positively on the communities. Issue of youth empowerment was taken seriously as they were involved at all stages of the projects.

Responsibilities were shared to members of the committee  in the communities so they were fully updated on the progress on the implementation of the projects. This confirms that, prioritized projects activities classified under different levels and resources needed were to the know of all.

With the above done, members of the communities now enjoyed a feeling of camaraderie as they enjoy the outcome of the projects.

Achievements:

Able to  achieve the project in the three communities, the citizens were appreciative of SCPP project coming to their area which has opened up their eyes to being involved in governance issues.

Challenges

1. Refusal to participate among some of the community members, as they believe it should be the government responsibility.
2. A campaign group came to one of the community and promised to handle the repair of light, this has weakened a level the spirit of the committee as they felt it was a political gimmick and has led to withdrawal of some community people participating in the project.

Also unfavorable weather conditions affected crops on the farm initially and this was coupled with incessant encroachment of  herdsmen.

Implication of challenges in the three communities:

1. This makes the implementation slow and withdrawal experienced due to many rumours in town that some individuals might have collected huge money during the political campaign for light repair causing the committees great fear for even holding meeting not to raise suspicion, or violence
2. The challenges slowed participation and collaboration of the community members in the implementation of the SCP in the communities.

   Youths (mostly unemployed) wanted remuneration for work done.

  Suggestions/recommendations:

It is suggested that implementation of projects like this should be given longer time and also that funds be released timely.

Next  steps:

Training and re training for implementing organization should be at intervals not a once and for all issue.

Appreciation: GEGCDF appreciates Afrihealth OPTONET for being given the opportunity to be part of the programme and also to all stakeholders in the communities of operation for their cooperation which made the project to be very  successful and impactful and also that it brought about behavioral change in the communities towards governance in the project communities.