The Kwara state Government has commended Community Development Associations for their pro-active roles in the development of the grassroots .
Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Arc. Aliyu Muhammad Saifuddeen gave the commendation while speaking at the annual Community Day Celebration held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Community Participation, a Vital Tool in the War against Covid-19 and Sensitization of Youth Against Destruction of Public and Private Business in form of Looting”.
The Commissioner noted the enormous challenges that the nation had faced recently, pointing out that such challenges could have been averted if adequately managed through Community participation.
Arc. Saifuddeen implored the associations to use their numerical spread across communities to sensitize their people by creating awareness to maintain government infrastructures and private businesses in their domains.
According to him, the recent vandalism and looting of government facilities and private businesses under the pretence of EndSars protest that almost grounded the economy, would have been averted if there was adequate sensitization by community associations.
He said there was the need for community associations to intensify more on sensitization of their members and the public on the need to embark on self help projects as means of complimenting government efforts in providing basic amenities, since government alone cannot provide all the needs of the citizens.
Saifuddeen assured that the State Government would continue to mobilize all the 1,882 registered Community Development Associations through their Community Development Councils to regular interactive fora with the Ministry, on issues bothering on government policies and programmes particularly Community Development-related matters.
“This year’s celebration will witness the inauguration of Community Development Councils and subsequently an award of excellence would be given to the best three (3) Communities and Local Government Councils that are outstanding in their contributions to the development of their respective Communities”, the Commissioner said.
On Covid-19 pandemic, he disclosed that the recent rise in the scourge required collaboration of the associations with relevant government agencies saddled with the responsibility of curtailing the spread of the virus within our Communities.
Arc. Saifuddeen further admonished them, to as a matter of urgency, sensitize their members on maintaining social distance and the use of preventive measures to curtail the spread of the virus.
Inuagurating the Chairmen of Community Development Councils across the 16 Local Government Areas, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Kayode Oyin-Zubair congratulated them for witnessing today’s event, describing the occasion as a manifestation of the present administration’s zeal to the development of the grassroot.
In his presentation, a public health practitioner from the Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr. Oladayo Awoyale disclosed that Coronavirus had spread to over 220 countries in the World.
Dr. Awoyale pleaded with the citizens to adhere strictly to all Covid-19 protocols and safety measures in order to reduce the wave of the pandemic.
He disclosed further that Kwara State is among the few states that still conduct free Covid-19 test in the Country.
