JEWEL ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE ACReSAL FOCAL NGO HOLD 1DAY WORKSHOP FOR COMMUNITY INTEREST GROUPS (CIG)
Gombe ACReSAL Trains 45 Community Interest Groups, NGOs, on Records, Financial Management
By Adamu Abubakar Kumo
In an effort to empower Community Interest Groups (CIGs) with essential skills to enhance their livelihoods, the Agro-Climatic Resilience and Support in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in Gombe State, through its Focal NGO, Jewel Environmental Initiative, conducted a one-day workshop for 45 CIGs across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
Declaring the workshop open, the State Coordinator, Ambassador Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro extolled the support the ACReSAL project enjoys from the state government under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, stressing that ACReSAL activities aligned perfectly with the vision of Inuwa-led Administration.
Dr Sani emphasized that while the government has invested in the ACReSAL project, the success of the project also relies heavily on the active participation and dedication of the CIGs in utilizing their acquired skills and knowledge to enhance their livelihoods and contribute to the overall success of the ACReSAL initiative.
He urged the participants to dedicate themselves to achieving the project’s objectives as they are meant to impact those at the grassroots level.
Ambassador Sani Jauro explained that the scope of the workshop covered trades and skills, including fisheries, gardening, groundnut processing, rice processing, among others.
The State Coordinator revealed that ACReSAL project is perfecting plans to upgrade the Kanawa Forest in Yamaltu Deba LGA.
“We are working to convert the forest into a conservation center with a zoo, a site for promoting gardening, irrigation, and solar power facilities to help society benefit more from the forest resources within the reserve.
“This will provide employment opportunities, generate income, boost tourism, and generate revenue while protecting the integrity of the environment,” he added.
Dr Sani urged the participants to judiciously utilize the knowledge and skills gained during the workshop to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their respective ACReSAL projects.
In her remarks, Mrs. Bathsheba Samuel, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Gombe State, appreciated ACReSAL for the meaningful projects they are executing and sought a partnership with ACReSAL to advance skill acquisition for women and youths in Gombe State.
Earlier in his welcome address, Malam Samaila Umar Bima, CEO of the Focal NGO, stated that the training encompassed 45 different interest groups spanning Gombe, Akko, and Yamaltu Deba Local Government Areas. These areas encompass both regions where the ACReSAL project is currently underway and those where future project implementation is planned.”
He emphasized the critical importance of proper reportage and documentation of all project activities. He highlighted that the World Bank has stringent monitoring standards and that meticulous record-keeping is essential. He stressed that community interest groups and their members must maintain comprehensive reports and financial records of their activities.
Malam Bima firmly stated, “ACReSAL and its Focal NGO will not tolerate any act of mismanagement, under-reporting, or inadequate documentation of finances and project activities. We are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in all our endeavors”.
He further emphasized that all interventions must be utilized for their intended purpose and should not be diverted to other uses or locations. He remarked that proper records and documentation will not only prevent mismanagement but also foster transparency, accountability, and facilitate a clear understanding among all members.
Earlier in his welcome address, the CEO of the Focal NGO, Malam Samaila Umar Bima said the training covered 45 different interest groups that cut across Gombe, Akko and Yamaltu Deba LGSs covering areas where ACReSAL work is ongoing and places where project will be executed in the future.
He stressed the need for proper reportage and documentation of activities, adding that World Bank have their ways of monitoring their projects and they don’t compromise on standards. Therefore, community interest groups and their members should have comprehensive reports and accounts of their activities.
“ACReSAL and it’s Foval NGO will not condone any act of mismanagement, under reportage, not recording and prper documentation of finances and records of activities . We will ensure transparency and accountability through all our activities”, he said.
All interventions should be put where they are meant not to be diverted for other purposes or other places other than where they were meant for.
“Proper records and documentation will prevent mismanagement, promote Transparency and accountability as well as facilitate understanding among members”, he remarked.
Speaking, the Senior District Head of Gombe, Usman Shatima, commended Governor Inuwa for his commitment to paying counterpart funds and other support towards the successful implementation of the ACReSAL project in Gombe State.
The workshop featured presentations by Malam Muhammad Hassan, ACReSAL Project Accountant, on ‘Record Keeping and Financial Management,’ and Mr. Iliya Samuel, on ‘Techniques of Report Writing’.
Also present at the workshop were Malam Abubakar Isa, Chairman of the Grievance Redress Mechanism Committee and District Head of Jauro Kuna; Adda Daniel, ACReSAL SLO; and Hajiya Maryam Mahdi, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the ACReSAL project, among other dignitaries.