Enugu agency highlights need for community involvement in local projects

The Enugu State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) has said that good leadership and community involvement are key for lasting community projects that improve people's lives.

The General Manager of CSDA, Monday Ani, shared this on Tuesday in Nchatancha Nike community, located in Enugu East Local Government Area.

Mr Ani spoke while leading the CSDA team on awareness and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises. This outreach also reached four other communities in Enugu East LGA.

These efforts aim to find out development priorities at the grassroots level under the Nigerian Community Action Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES 2.0) program.

The other four communities visited include Akpogazi, Nkomoru, Onuogba, and Edem Nike. Mr Ani stressed that good leadership and active community involvement are important to ensure that projects provide real benefits to the people.

While addressing the elected Community Project Management Committee (CPMC) members, the CSDA leader urged them to stay dedicated to serving their communities and contributing to the state’s development.

He advised the CPMC members to manage their responsibilities with care, accountability, and transparency, especially during project execution. He highlighted the need for honesty in handling project funds and following rules that reflect the interests of the communities.

"The PRA exercise gives community members a chance to pinpoint their needs, share their development goals, and take an active role in shaping projects that can improve their lives.

"This initiative matches the development vision of the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whose administration is focused on inclusive grassroots development and better access to essential services.

"Through CSDA and the NG-CARES platform, the state government is boosting community involvement and ownership. This is to ensure that projects meet the real needs of the people and provide lasting benefits," he stated.

In response, the member representing Enugu East Rural State Constituency, Raymond Ugwu, who joined the CSDA team during the community visits, praised the rural development efforts of Governor Mbah.

"I must commend the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for showing real interest in ensuring rural communities experience the benefits of democracy.

"The CSDA approach is community-focused and aims to tackle the immediate challenges faced by rural people, such as access to clean water and hygiene facilities," Mr Ugwu said.