To ensure an accountable and democratic government, the European Union (EU) British Council has stressed the need to invest in, and engage with Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s), saying their contributions to sustainable development in any country cannot be over emphasised.
This is as the Council, launched the Agents for Citizen-driven Transformation (ACT) programme Tuesday in Abuja, a programme to be implemented in the North East, North West, South East, South West and North-Central following increasing rate of conflicts.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Ketil Karisen, said the programme aims at supporting the strenghening of institutional mechanisms, structures, and processes in Nigeria.
According to him, there was the need to improve the internal, external and pragmamatic competence of CSO’s, networks and coalitions in the country.
“ACT will seek to facilitate improved CSO regulatory frameworks through the provision of support that promotes self-regulatory mechanisms amongs CSO’s while exploring ways to support the evolution of a functional and effective national regulatory framework that will be acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.
“The programme’s aim is to strengthen donor coordination on CSO engagement in Nigeria with a view to ensuring that there are strategic linkages and opportunities for knowledge sharing amongst key donors and international development partners supporting CSO strenghning in Nigeria,” he added.
Earlier, the Director, International Cooperation at the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning Mrs. Elizabeth Egharevba, assured of government support to the strenghening of CSO’s, adding that it would also support the successful implementation of ACT in Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, Sub-Saharan Africa Portfolio Lead and Programme Director for ACT Bob Arnot, said the programme also seeks to support and addrrgender related issues.
Meanwhile, the Country Director Action Aid Nigeria Ms Ene Obi lauded the programme launch saying their are many priority areas the fund will be of benefit to Nigeria, urging CSO’s to ensure adequate utilusation when their applucations are considered.
