BENIN CITY – The Edo State Community and Social Development Agency (Edo-CSDA) has trained members of the Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) to enhance their capacity for effective delivery of community-driven development projects.
The training brought together community representatives from Ehor in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, Ezomon and Ebo in Oredo Local Government Area, Imade-Aduwawa in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area and Efandion-Uwangue in Esan North East Local Government Area.
Declaring the session open, the General Manager of the Agency, Ms. Ivie Idahosa, said that the training was designed to strengthen grassroots participation and ownership in project implementation.
She told participants that Governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to ensuring that development begins from the grassroots.
She explained that the Committee’s role was not just to benefit from projects but to take ownership and ensure their sustainability.
“When a project is completed and handed over, it becomes your responsibility to maintain it. That is why we have organised this training to ensure you understand the process and take full ownership of projects in your communities,” she said.
Ms. Idahosa urged CPMC chairmen to work closely with their members and ensure inclusiveness.
She reminded them that the projects being executed were those identified by their own communities, not imposed by the government, and urged them to work together to make life better for their people.
Operations Manager of the Agency, Barr. Imoudu Longe, provided an overview of Edo-CSDA and explained the participatory rural appraisal approach adopted in project planning.
He said the method ensures accountability, ownership and sustainability by allowing communities to decide their most pressing needs before projects are implemented.
The training featured lectures by Project Officers on accounts and financial management, procurement, auditing, monitoring, grievance management, environmental and social safeguards, as well as gender mainstreaming and inclusion of vulnerable groups.
The session, officials said, was aimed at equipping participants with practical tools to manage resources effectively, promote transparency and ensure long-term impact in their communities.
