Yobe Govt. Explores Funding Alternatives For Local Projects In Morocco
The Yobe state government is exploring partnership arrangements with the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) to fund vital projects in local government areas of the state.
A delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam Wali, on Monday met with UCLGA Secretary General, Mr Jean Piere Elong Mbassi at their headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, on the partnership.
Mamman Mohammed, Director-General Press and Media Affairs to Yobs State Governor, said in a statement that the discussion centred on modalities of funding developments in local areas in the state.
Mr Mbassi had explained that projects could be funded through the African Forum for Decentralized Cooperation (FACDI), which will provide 60%, Moroccan government 20%, and the benefitting local governments would provide 10% in kind including land for the projects.
The Secretary General said other windows exist to effectively combat climate change, desert encroachment and flood at local levels.
“There are opportunities to source funds from the Green Climate Fund to support the fight against climate change and it’s consequences on the people,” he said.
In his remarks, Wali appreciated the fruitful discussions, and assured that the state would hasten the registration process to facilitate the funding programme.
The SSG further said the state would seek to train local administrators from across the continent at the College of Administration Management and Technology in Potiskum.
Also, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Adamu Jajere said the the partnership was in line with the governor’s desire to change the narrative in local government administration in Yobe state.
“The partnership is to make local government councils to be proactive in administration and development.
“The Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has the mandate of His Excellency Gov. Mai Mala Buni to support the local government councils to deliver efficient services to the people.
“We would be on the same page to fast track the partnership in the interest of our people,” Jajere assured.
The Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Muhammad Bello Kawuwa, advised the UCLGA to engage in train-the-trainer approach for a wider impact of its services.
The Chairman of Damaturu Local Government, Bukar Adamu, who is also the state Chairman of ALGON, said all the 17 local councils in the state will register with UCLGA so as to participate in and benefit from its activities.
“We all have our collective and peculiar challenges that can be addressed through this partnership,” he noted.
