By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – The European Union (EU) says it will end its five-year Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria, on April 14.
Mr Damilare Babalola, the National Programme Manager, ACT, said this on Tuesday at a brief event in Port Harcourt.
Babalola said that the conclusion of the programme would automatically mean an end for the 21 CSOs based in Rivers.
He stated that the EU-funded programme, valued at 13.1 million euros, was executed by the British Council across 10 states, with a presence in the 36 states of the federation.
“The programmes’ goals are to assist CSOs in becoming more credible, accountable and effective agents of change, for sustainable development in Nigeria.
“The implementation focussed on providing capacity-building skills, referred to as capacity development support to CSOs, to enhance their effectiveness.
“Additionally, it aimed to evaluate the regulatory environment for CSOs and promote strategic coordination among them and other key stakeholders in terms of collaboration and advocate, for appropriate legislation and regulations,” he explained.
Babalola identified the benefitting states as Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“The ACT programme commenced in 2019 and will officially conclude on April 14, marking the end of five-years of active implementation in the country.
“Rivers was among the states where we initiated the programme during our phase two launch in 2020, and we are here to formally close the ACT programme in the state.
“ACT has addressed significant challenges affecting the effectiveness and impact of civil societies, especially in creating an enabling regulatory environment,” he added.
He expressed confidence that in spite of ACT’s departure from the country, civil society groups have gained sufficient capacity to effectively carry out their responsibilities in their respective focus areas within the communities.
The programme manager noted that 273 CSOs benefitted from the programme across the country, with 233 CSOs receiving capacity-building training and 40 others trained to enhance regulatory conditions.
In his remark, ACT Rivers Focal Person, Mr Temple Oraeki, emphasised the importance of CSOs collaborating with the state government and international donor agencies to advance their programmes and projects within the communities.
“The 21 CSOs, comprising of eight community-based organisations and three network coalitions in Rivers, now serve as our ambassadors, equipped to make positive impact in society.
“Therefore, we are leaving behind organisations that are credible partners for the government and international donor agencies to execute their programmes in communities,” he said.
Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers expressed the state’s readiness to engage with CSOs to implement government policies and programmes in the various communities where they operate.
Represented by Diokuma Ismael, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Fubara lauded the EU and British Council for their interventions in the state.
“The success of the ACT programme has undoubtedly enhanced the value of civil society organisations in the state and nationwide.
“We are prepared to partner with the CSOs that have impacted communities, once all necessary documentations are concluded.
“However, it is crucial for CSOs to adhere to proper regulations, to enable the government to identify with them for sustainable development,” he said.
Fubara urged the civil society groups to align with the state government’s policy to drive positive change in the communities.
