Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong on Wednesday presented cheques
to Twenty eight benefitting communities of the Plateau state community
and social development program (CSDP) earmarked for the execution of
various projects in their respective localities.
Speaking at the occasion Lalong said I am very delighted to be here
for the official presentation of cheques to the representatives of
another set of twenty-eight communities that are beneficiaries of the
Community and Social Development (CSDP) intervention projects in Plateau
State.
I must commend the CSDP for all its intervention programs ever since
the inception of this administration and also congratulate all the
beneficiaries for scaling through the CSDP’s rigorous process of
selecting beneficiary communities.
The Community and Social Development Program has been key to the
Rescue Administration’s developmental projects in the last three and a
half years. This stems, by and large, from the fact that the objective
of the project falls in line with our major policy thrusts, which
include Human Capital Development and Social Welfare, Agriculture and
Rural Development, as well as Physical Infrastructure and Environment.
To this end, on assumption of office in May 2015, I immediately
approved the release of the sum of N200m to the CSDP; another N100m in
2016; and N200m recently. To further demonstrate my administration’s
interest in the activities of the agency, I removed it from the Ministry
of Women Affairs and Social Development to my office, so as to give the
it accelerated attention and for close monitoring.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you that as a Government, we will
continue to support the development of our poor communities and CSDP is
that vehicle to which we will achieve that goal. I am convinced that
the fastest avenue for development is to allow communities to decide on
projects of their felt-needs. Be rest assured that this administration
is totally committed to sustaining the bottom-up approach.
Initially, only six (6) Local Government Areas were implementing
CSDP because of the state poverty map. Being a responsible, responsive
and listening government, we requested for the inclusion of ALL the
Local Government Areas. However, only five (5) were approved by the
World Bank. Hopefully, the remaining LGAs will be included in 2019.
At this juncture, I urge the new benefiting communities to ensure
the successful execution of these projects. Let me remind you that you
are about writing your names in history, if only you follow the agency’s
implementation procedure. With the training you have received, I am
confident that you will not fail yourself, your community and Plateau
State because you have a name to protect.
Before I end this address, let me warn that the funds you receive
must be used for the purpose intended. My administration will not
hesitate to sanction any community that defaults, and we will use all
avenues available to recover all misappropriated funds.
Once again, let me thank the Board, Management and staff of CSDP,
the Technical Adviser on Donor Projects, the various beneficiary
communities and the media for collectively playing your roles in
promoting and projecting the CSDP program and projects. I wish to assure
the agency of government’s continuous support as I also look forward to
commissioning more of the agency’s intervention projects.
