The Delta State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every community benefits from its development initiatives, particularly through the Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) Programme.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman of the State CARES Steering Committee, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, made this known during the launch of a project and the presentation of the first tranche of funds for the rehabilitation of a Health Centre in Ibedeni Community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
Represented by the Delta CARES State Coordinator and Secretary of the State CARES Steering Committee, Lady Dr. Patience Ogbewe, Ekedayen explained that all communities stand to benefit from the programme, provided they adhere strictly to the project cycle, which begins with an expression of interest.
He commended the people of Ibedeni Community for prioritising the rehabilitation of their Health Centre, noting that the project, once completed, will provide accessible healthcare services and eliminate the need for residents to travel to neighbouring communities. He also urged the community to safeguard the facility against vandalism and ensure proper maintenance.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Princess Pat Ajudua, called on the community to make prudent use of the funds to achieve quality results that would qualify the state for reimbursement from the World Bank. Represented by the Technical Head of the Community Driven Development Social Implementation Unit, Mr. A. Orubu, she stressed the importance of adhering to established procedures and timely execution of the project.
In her remarks, Lady Ogbewe highlighted that the D-CARES initiative aligns with the state government’s M.O.R.E Agenda, aimed at upgrading communities in line with global best practices. She added that the programme, in collaboration with NG-CARES and the World Bank, is designed to strengthen community resilience against economic and environmental shocks.
The Technical Head of the implementation unit further emphasized that the project is a collective responsibility, urging the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) to ensure inclusiveness and transparency to avoid conflicts that could hinder progress. She also stressed that projects must be completed and put to use to secure reimbursement and maximize impact.
The event featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by representatives of the Ibedeni Community and the presentation of the cheque to the Local Government Chairman, who subsequently handed it over to the community.
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