Margret Elayo.
Commissioner for Humanitarian, Social Services and Non Governmental Organisations,Nasarawa state.
,,,, Stresses regulation of NGO activities.
By David Okpashi in Lafia.
Nasarawa state government warned that it would no longer accept the unwholesome practices and activities of the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the state.
This is as it expressed concern over the attitude of the NGOs which it said were not in compliance with the extant laws of the state.
Addressing Journalists, ahead of this year’s International NGOs day, Commissioner for Humanitarian, Social Services and Non Governmental Organisations, Margret Elayo, decried the unwholesome practices and activities of the NGOs.
She said that the state government had set up a platform to regulate, stem the access of most of the organizations in the state in order to regulate, supervise and monitor the activities of the NGOs in the state.
The commissioner said that henceforth,it would be an offense for any NGO to operate in the state without being identified and registered under one platform,for easy monitoring and regulation in accordance with the extant laws of the state.
According to her, the state government, through the Ministry, had created a platform to checkmate and ensure effective monitoring and supervision of all the NGOs in the state.
Elayo said:“When I assumed office as commissioner, the first thing we did as a ministry was to create a platform to enable us obtain data, information as well have the records and numbers of NGOs in the state.
“This is to ensure that we do not have a duplication where two or three NGOs carry out out the same function where other departments will be lacking.
“If you are not on that platform, then you are not NGO in Nasarawa State. As a ministry, we will not accommodate or condone activities of any NGO that is not in the platform.”
She said that the ministry was collaborating with international bodies willing to donate funds to serious NGOs working in the state.
“There’s no point been in the state when getting funds,either locally, nationally or internationally and all you do is to get an apartment, enjoy yourself and take pictures of our people and said you have contributed immensely, we will not take that,” she further warned.
Elayo,who however, appreciated the role of NGOs, noted that they had been instrumental to the enhancement of the lives of vulnerable people in the state by providing them essential supports to meet their basic needs.
“NGOS in other countries are heroes, working to uplift marginalized communities, protect the environment and advocate for human rights. The issue is different in our local communities.
“As we celebrate international NGO Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to collaborate with NGOs and the media, they are not adversaries but partners on a shared journey towards progress,” she declared.
Elayo called on stakeholders to join hands in celebrating the efforts of NGOs, adding that the state anticipated further progress and the implementation of more vibrant and people-oriented projects that alignedwith the goals of SDGs.
“The commitment of the Nasarawa State Government to NGOS remains steadfast and poised to grow stronger, through enhanced partnerships and increased support for NGOs Humanitarian Social Services,” she assured.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
