NCAM MEETS ENetSuD, SEEKS PARTNERSHIP ON TRANSPARENCY

The National Center for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) has requested the participation of ENetSuD in the procurement processes of projects domiciled under the Center to promote transparency, accountability and probity on how money released to the Center by the Federal Government is spent. The Center also pledged to cooperate with ENetSuD and comply with the provision of necessary documents that ENetSuD needs towards the successful tracking of all the government-funded projects it is executing.

The Management of NCAM admitted that ENetSuD’s project tracking activities have significantly improved transparency and accountability that has positively impacted on the end beneficiaries in Kwara State. NCAM disclosed that it invited ENetSuD to enable the latter to have more knowledge of what the centre is doing and bridge any communication gap. NCAM highlighted the need to work together with ENetSuD for the progress of Kwara communities, especially concerning capital projects being executed in the State.

The management of NCAM urged ENetSuD to improve its communication system with them and see a way of exchanging notes with them on findings concerning their executed projects, which will yield more positive results in the public interest. The cordial relationship with ENetSuD sought by NCAM is one without any prejudice to standard practice and independence of ENetSuD, but with an expected positive impact on Kwara communities in the area of successful execution of government-funded projects.

Our visit to NCAM made us appreciate the fact that government at all levels need to explore the expertise of NCAM on how to improve Agricultural practice in order to diversify the economy, ENetSuD said. NCAM disclosed that the present Kwara State administration of AbdulRahman has partnered with them to promote Agriculture in the State. ENetSuD considered this new partnership as a right step, hoping that Kwarans will see the benefits as soon as possible.

ENetSuD assured NCAM that as a Civil Society Organization that is mainly interested in results that will ensure that Kwara money works for Kwarans, it is not interested in a media war or blackmail game that won’t solve any problem. ENetSuD further advised NCAM to improve publicity on their duties, activities, and impacts in order to promote patronage by government, farmers, industrialists, and other stakeholders.

The bilateral meeting was attended by top NCAM officials, including Dr. (Engr.) Kasali Muideen (Executive Director); Dr. (Engr.) Kamal AbdulGafar (Director, Farm Power and Machinery Department); Engr. Mike Olayinka; and Mr. Kamilu Adetunji (Procurement Officer).

ENetSuD team that attended the meeting include Comrade Lanre Osho (Deputy Coordinator, Projects tracking); Comrade Azeez Adisah Jaji (Director of Investigation and Public Petition, Kwara Central); Mr. Abdulrazaq Abdulraheem (Monitoring Officer, Moro LGA); and Madam Fatimah Bintu Dikko (Monitoring Officer, Ilorin South LGA).

Signed,
Usman Radhiyyat Taiye (Mrs),
Deputy Coordinator (Administration),
Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD),
26/01/2021