ABIA STATE GOVT PARTNERS NGOs FOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

As part of efforts to reduce the increasing rate of migration in Nigeria, the Abia State Government has expressed its resolve to collaborate with Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the state to make positive impact on lives of the residents.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, Mr. Odinakachi Eme, stated this while brainstorming with the Heads of NGOs at the state Banquet Hall, Umuahia.

He noted that the essence of the meeting was to deliberate on ways of achieving the shared goals of sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

According to the SSA, NGOs play critical roles in implementing projects and programmes that directly impact on the people, especially at the grassroots.

He maintained that the state government would not relent to encourage and partner NGOs in the areas of expertise and technical know-how in execution of some key projects to reduce unemployment and tackle poverty in the state.

Contributing, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, explained that the brainstorming would create strong ties between the government and NGOs in the state to assist them to attract the required funds that would offer them the platform to drive government vision of empowering people at the grassroots.

Some of the participants, including Paul Izuegbu Eze and Pastor Anozie Nwokocha, described the meeting as first of its kind and appealed to the state government to assist the NGOs in the area of funding, reducing high taxation, accessibility of certificate of Occupancy to enable funders to acquire and develop in the state amongst other challenges being faced in the state.

About two hundred heads of NGOs attended the meeting.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU