By Muhammad B. Muhammad
Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has lauded Catholic Relief Services (CRS) on humanitarian intervention in Adamawa State and pledged sustained partnership for the overall benefit of the citizens of the state.
The Non Governmental Organization which has been working in partnership with the State Government through its STaR Project over the years has been instrumental in improving lives of the people in vulnerable communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency as well those lacking basic humanitarian needs and services.
The Governor who was represented by the Chief of Staff Government House Yola, Dr. Edger Amos, made the commendation when the senior leadership of Catholic Relief Services paid him courtesy visit at the Government House.
Fintiri revealed that the effect of insurgency has placed the affected people in vulnerable position that government alone cannot meet their needs and appreciated the organization for coming into the state with its life serving service which was evident across the affected areas.
He however, drew attention of the organization on the need to also focus attention on peace building initiative between harders and farmers especially now that farming season has set in, a season where such cases is more prevalent.
He also pointed out the need for empowering the people to enable them take their destinies into their hands by engaging meaningful ventures that will earn them a living, assuring that government on its part will continue partner with the organization and give it maximum support and cooperation to succeed.
Earlier in his address the Country Representative of CRS, Mr. Akim Kikonda, revealed that CRS, is working to elevate the suffering of people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said that the CRS as an organization is working in partnership with the Government both at the state and local levels especially local communities, identifying their needs and addressing them through their STaR Project.
He said that CRS priorities approach largely lais on encouraging the local to identify their challenges and work towards addressing them collectively.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved so far in the communities who are now working to resolve their own problems and challenges.
He maintained that in addition to the STaR Project, CRS is also present in Adamawa with through the Global Fund Project that is working towards tackling TB, Maleria, HIV/AIDS, and other intervention areas to ease the suffering of the people.
Also sharing their thoughts on the CRS project, Regional Director (RD) Jude Benard, the Chief of Party (COP)Christopher Bleer and Leem, expressed satisfaction with the level of quality work CRS team is doing in the state.
According to them the CRS projects cut across helping displaced communities and returnees, building classrooms and roads linking their farm lands, provision of Agricultural inputs, capacity building initiative, vocational skills and social cohesion among other lasting impacts in Shelleng, Yola South, Girie and Song LGAs.
They called on the Government and the benefiting communities to take ownership of the projects spread across the affected communities for lasting impact.
SAHEL REPORTERS.
