The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has warned members of the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) from fourteen communities across Oyo State that benefited from the fund disbursement for various projects by the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), not to mismanage the money.
The advice came on the heels of the disbursement of about #210million for projects ranging from construction and renovation of classrooms, construction of culverts, community health centers, drilling of boreholes among others by OYCSDA’s Chaiman, Hon. Adetokunbo Adeaga on Thursday at Ibadan.
The representative of OYACA who spoke at the training and fund disbursement programme, Mr Lere Omotoso harped on the need for prudence by the committee of each committee as laid down in the training given at the event and supported by the Community Development Programme (CPD) document, to avoid the wrath of the law.
“You have been told that every penny from the fund released to you must be accounted for and the system to monitor and ensure accountability has been put in place, make sure you spend the money on the materials, workmanship and other services needed for each project and not frivolities.
“The Oyo State government has done its part by partnering the World Bank and Federal Government to make funds accessible for our communities to do projects that we think we need, it is our duty to reciprocate same by being diligent in our spendings.”
The Chaiman, OYCSDA, Hon. Adetokunbo Adeaga in his speech at the occasion, praised the efforts of the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for making funds available for communities in the State to address areas of their major needs.
He said the funds will improve access of people to portable water, motorable roads, primary healthcare, as well as conducive teaching and learning environment for teachers and students.
He enjoined the CPMC members to ensure the projects are completed as at when due and are enduring, for them to have their names etched in the anal of their communities’ histories.
“Do all within your power to complete the projects according to timelines and standards, let us commit to working together with respect, inclusivity and open communication, let us celebrate our diversity and harness our collective strength to achieve success.
“At this juncture, I want to express profound gratitude to His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde for making this possible and being committed to taking actions that reduce the people’s suffering and also create the conditions for prosperity,” he said.
The General Manager, OYCSDA, Mr. Salau Jelili noted that the NG-CARES programme that catered for the projects’ funding targeted existing and emerging vulnerable and poor households affected by Covid-19 pandemic and the agency was expected to intervene on basic social infrastructural micro-projects on education, health, erosion control, nutrition and water sanitation, based on Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach.
He called attention to the fact that the project implementation approach should target what the World Bank and its stakeholders call ‘Programme For Result’ (P4R) which means that the State would firstly fund the projects before a verification team would assess them before repayment will be done.
He added that for repayment to be done to the State and for other communities to also benefit in the nearest future, the projects must have been completed to time, functional and in use by the communities’ people.
Among the communities that benefited from the micro-project funding for the first quater of 2023 are Aroro Makinde community at Akinyele local government of Ibadan, Ideraoluwa community, Ibadan North-East local government, Ibadan, Abebi-Opo Yeosa – Ifesowapo community at Ibadan North-West local government of Ibadan and Kobomoje-Ogundepo-Ogundeji community at Ibadan South-East local government area of Ibadan.
Others are Olorunbawase-Oke Odo community at Ibarapa Central local government area, Igboora, Irewolede community at Ogbomoso South local government, Olorunsogo-Ifesowapo community at Ogbomoso South local government, Lagbedu-Orile community at Ogo-Oluwa local government, Lagun community at Lagelu local government, Alapata-Ope Odu-Oja Baale at Lagelu local government, Oremeji-Atolu community at Ona Ara local government, Irawo Parapo community at Atisbo local government, Oorelope community at Oorelope local government as well as Okan Awuru community at Saki East local government, Saki.