The Poor, Vulnerable and Less Privileged are the Targets of Our Programmes – Chief Henry Egbelo

Iloke Egbe

The Cross River State Coordinator, Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, NG-CARES, Chief Henry Egbelo, has asserted that as a matter of strategy for effective and positive impact on the people, the poor, vulnerable and the less privileged in the society are the primary targets as beneficiaries amongst delivery units and not the drivers of the programme.

He stated this at Dannic Hotel, Ekorinim, Calabar, when he declared open a two-day training workshop for technical staff of the State CARES Coordinating Unit (SCCU) and other delivery platforms under NG-CARES.

He emphasized that the strength of any programme lies not only in its design but in the capacity of the people implementing it, and alluded that the theme for the workshop, which is *Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Results-Based Performance, Accountability and Sustainable Service Delivery*, aimed at bringing critical stakeholders to a round table for a proper reflection on the status of NG-CARES 2.0 and to update and energize all delivery units to execute their responsibilities timely in accordance with their project plans.

Some of the papers that were presented include: NG-CARES governance structure. Programme reporting, documentation and knowledge management. NG-CARES Independent Verification Agent (IVA) protocol and reimbursement.Tools and techniques for managing stakeholders in development projects. Environmental and Social Safeguard – principles and compliance. Financial Management System and retirement of advances. Public Sector Governance and Civil Service systems. Results-Based project Management and PforR Framework.

In an interview with some participants who admitted that the standard of the workshop was very satisfactory and that the resource persons were also very knowledgeable in the topics they handled, while others affirmed that they have gained much from the training.

The team of eminent facilitators includes a former Permanent Secretary in the State Chief Patrick Agida, Dr. Bethel Ewung, Mr. Fidel Udie, Mr Samuel Terrance and Mr Tony Atah who brought their wealth of professionalism and practical experiences to drive their presentations. 

Some of the delivery platforms that were in attendance were Labour Intensive Public Workfare, State Cash Transfer Unit, Community and Social Development Agency, FADAMA, Medium and Small Enterprises and State Operations Coordinating Unit. All heads of delivery units under NG-CARES were in attendance, as well as technical staff from the units.