By Francis Onoiribholo – Bureau Chief Benin
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sponsored Global Environment Facility Small Grant Programme (GEF-SGP) says Edo State government’s record of good governance has won its heart to partner with the Adams Oshiomhole led administration to address environmental issues that will enhance community livelihood.
GEF-SGP National Coordinator, Mrs. Ronke Olubamise, disclosed this at a workshop, “Providing Sustainable Energy in Ofetebe Community Using Solar Micro Off-Grid Facility in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State” organized by Community Research and Development Centre (CREDC) in Benin City.
Mrs. Olubamise pointed out that Edo State has a track record of good governance while GEF-SGP being implemented by UNDP also has a global record of transparency, accountability, effectiveness and efficiency which qualified both parties for partnership to upscale and replicate some projects to reach more communities in the state.
According to her, “We believe these qualities are eligible for a proposal for partnership between GEF-SGP and Edo State government and GEF-SGP hopes this proposal will be taken further from here in earnest as GEF-SGP will always be ready to provide necessary support to ensure actualization of this partnership.
“GEF-SGP Nigeria has supported about 113 projects in the last five years, and among them is the one implemented by the Community Research and Development Center (CREDC) which promoters have organized the appraisal workshop and commissioning, under the project titled, “Providing Sustainable Energy Using Solar Micro Off-Grid Facility in Ofetebe Community, Ovia North-East LGA of Edo State.
“The aim of GEF-SGP is to encourage initiatives that achieve global environment benefit as is being demonstrated by these projects which involved the installation of a four kilowatt Solar System to generate electricity in Ofetebe Community that has helped to address the reduction of carbon emission from unsustainable energy sources by providing clean energy source for 30 households.
“To increase access to portable water through provision of solar borehole, train 15 community youths to install and maintain solar systems and increase awareness in surrounding communities on the role of renewable energy technology in preserving the environment.
“We are particularly glad to mention that this is the second time this NGO is working with GEF-SGP to help communities to address environmental issues that also enhance community livelihood, the first project was also carried out in Odighi community and GEF-SGP is glad to mention at this point that it has supported projects in seven communities in Edo State alone.
“This makes Edo State one of the highest beneficiaries of GEF-SGP Projects in Nigeria and GEF-SGP is using this opportunity as it has a global goal to protect and restore the environment and has also understood that this can only be achieved through strategic partnerships.
“As this NGO has proven, GEF-SGP is also using this opportunity to encourage CSOs to be more genuinely passionate about their cause, as only this will help them to get beyond paying lip service to and looking only for personal gains that tend to shift focus from the real issues and the collective goals.”
While congratulating Ofetebe, one of the few privileged communities that have benefited from GEF-SGP. GEF-SGP, the national coordinator hopes that the Ofetebe people will ensure sustainability and continue to hold this project in trust for themselves and their unborn generations.
The post UNDP, Edo govt to partner on environmental challenges appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.