BY EBI NIEKETIEN
AS Delta State prepares for the roll-out of the NG-CARES 2.0 programme, the state government has re-affirmed its commitment to strengthening the capacity of frontline officers to ensure effective service delivery.
To this end, the State CARES Coordinating Unit, in collaboration with Briki Training and Consultancy Services, organized a two-day training programme for staff on management of sustainable development programmes for resilience.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Ekedayen, stressed that capacity building is central to the success of the new phase of the programme.
“We cannot over-emphasize the need for capacity building, particularly now that we are migrating into NG-CARES 2.0. The course outline was deliberately chosen to prepare participants for the kind of assignments they are expected to undertake.” He said.
He explained that the NG-CARES initiative was people-centered, involving direct interaction with beneficiaries, and as such, officers must enhance their communication and interpersonal skills.
“Our work deals with human beings, and we must learn how to relate with them effectively. At the end of the day, the goal is to deliver service to our people” he said.
Ekedayen added that the training modules were designed to equip participants with the skills to manage people across different levels and to ensure efficient, impactful delivery of services.
“We do not expect the governor to be everywhere. You are the representatives of the government, and the way you interact with beneficiaries reflects on the administration. You are our first-line foot soldiers, deployed to the field to interact, manage and solve problems. That is why this training has been carefully crafted,” he noted.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator, Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES), Lady Patience Ogbewe, said the training targeted the major implementers of NG-CARES 2.0 and aimed to bolster their capacity to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
She explained that while the first phase focused heavily on mitigating the impact of COVID-19, NG-CARES 2.0 is designed to build the resilience of beneficiaries and communities to withstand future economic shocks.
“We are trying to build capacity such that, no matter the shocks that may come, beneficiaries will be able to live above them. This time, the focus is not on COVID-19, but on empowering communities and building the capacity of individuals to be resilient,” she said.
