GO-CARES: Gombe Govt. trains stakeholders on addressing grievances from beneficiaries
The Gombe State government, under its Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (GO-CARES) Programme, has trained stakeholders in the state towards addressing grievances from project-affected communities.
Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES while speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day Step-Down Training on Grievance Mechanism (GM) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) under NG-CARES Programme said the training was important for all stakeholders.
Obaje said that the training was to strengthen the Grievance Mechanism System by building staff and institutional capacities across the country to effectively manage all grievances reported by stakeholders.
According to him, the training is also aimed at creating safer, more inclusive communities, where grievances can be resolved fairly, transparently, and timely.
“The NG-CARES Programme remains promoting policies and actions that prioritise the well-being and dignity of every citizen.
“One of our core priorities under this programme is to enhance the capacity of all stakeholders, government officials, civil society, and community leaders.
“This is by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively handle programme-related grievances, including Gender-Based Violence.”
The national coordinator expressed optimism that at the end of the training, participants would be better equipped with the knowledge, skills, and determination to make a lasting impact in benefitting communities.
Obaje commended the Gombe State government for being one of the best performing states under the NG-CARES Programme.
“Gombe State has consistently demonstrated visionary leadership in implementing pro poor initiatives designed by the federal government to address the issue of poverty in the country.”
For his part, Mr Salihu Baba-Alkali, the Gombe Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, said that the training was a critical component of efforts at ensuring satisfaction of all stakeholders.
Baba-Alkali said that in the course of implementing the GO-CARES programme, complaints were received from aggrieved persons who expressed their dissatisfaction depending on the categories of grievances.
He said that to address these complaints for a sustainable programme, the Grievance Mechanism manual has been developed, and it is about to be domesticated in the state, hence the training.
He explained that at the end of the engagement, all stakeholders would be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop and implement protocols on resolving all kinds of grievances, including gender cases.
The training was organised by GO-CARES in collaboration with the State Cares Coordinating Unit of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Gombe State.
