By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
A more effective approach that rural communities can employ to cope with climate change mitigation and adaptation solution, Community Driven Development, CDD, has been advocated by Development Management Consultants .
Mr. Thaddeus Mande, leading two other Development Management Consultants, advocated a Community Driven Development, CDD, as the most effective approach for rural development when they conducted the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in Fiidi Market and Ologba and Egba communities in Makurdi and Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State.
At a Multi-Agency Consultative Meeting of the Project Advisory Committee on Powering Peace through Climate Action Project in Makurdi, Mr. Mande said, “empowering communities with the right skills, knowledge and processes is imperative to enabling rural people take the lead and own any development initiative”.
The project which is in partnership with International Alert and the three implementing partners Kendeavese Foundation, Angel Support and Community Links, is aimed at enhancing peace and adaptation plan of which the Alert International will be providing seed funding to enable the concerned communities address their priority needs.
Commending the implementing organizations and International Alert for carrying out a comprehensive PRA and highlighting climate related challenges of targeted communities, Chairperson of the Project Advisory Committee and the Director-General Benue State Planning Commission, Prof. Jerome Andohol
advised the implementing organizations to continue to track and meet the indicators of change in the communities around Livelihood and Climate change Environment for sustainable development.
He explained that the new government in the state is developing a mechanism that will enhance accountable, collaborative, and productive working experience with development partners and organizations.
International Alert Senior Project Officer for Benue, Mr. Henry Akya on his part said the PRA is to enhance the Local Peace and Adaptation Plan (LPAP) of which International Alert will be providing seed funding to enable the concern communities address their priority needs.
In her opening remark, the Executive Director Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative (CLHEI), Dr. Helen Tegh-tegh, and organizers of the event, said the goal of the Multi-Agency meeting was to get the progress report, feedback and lessons learnt from the implementing partners including feedback on the draft Local Peace and Adaptation Plan so as to collaboratively outline next steps.
