Yemisi Izuora
The Lagos state government has completed some abandoned projects in 8 rural communities following an intervention initiative of the International Press Center, IPC, which launched a rural surveillance project to track performance of government projects in those areas.
The rural intervention project was conceived by the IPC, with the financial support of the World Association for Christian Communications, WACC, Canada.
The project, “Mentoring and CSO/Media Engagement For Solution-Driven Rural Poverty Reporting” was implemented in 2015 through to 2016 with the aim of using public interest driven media reportage on specific development and poverty issues of rural/grassroots settlements in Lagos state.
The initiative focussed on addressing the rural poverty issues of 8 grassroot communities which include Mainland, Yaba, Surulere, Ikorodu, Shomolu, Amuwo-Odofin and Oriade Local Council Development Area, LCDA.
At the presentation of the paper on “Solution-Driven rural Poverty Reporting Initiative” which summarised the highlights and outcomes of the project, at the IPC office today in Lagos, Lekan Otufodurin managing editor of the Nation Newspapers and secretary of WACC, in Africa, explained that the project involved the gathering of information on the state of infrastructural deficiencies and poverty conditions in the selected communities.
Otufodurin, appreciated the role of the media during the exercise which aptly drew attention of the state and local government authorities to projects that were abandoned and also the lack of critical amenities in those areas.
He therefore clamoured for effective project monitoring by the media and community representatives so as to ensure adequate deployment of resources to areas of need.
On his part, reviewer of the book, Mr. Wale Adeoye executive secretary of Journalists for Democratic Rights, JODER, challenged the media on community reporting.
Adeoye noted that community reporting should be given priority attention by the media as that is the only way to prompt action and facilitate development of rural communities.
He said that no society will grow without even distribution of resources adding that community people are more prone poverty and disease because of dearth of basic amenities.
Adeoye also warned that lack of basic amenities and poverty breed crime which threatens the society.
Some of the community representatives at the event commended the efforts of IPC and WACC for the initiative.
According to Moses Adewunmi, general secretary of the Community Development in Shomolu, the intervention prompted the completion of some roads that were abandoned.
He said in particular the Bolaji Omupo project earlier abandoned had been done and drainage completed.
On his part, Tajudeen Bello, chairman, Adeniji Itire Community Development Association, said some of the roads and schools in the area have been fixed and 200 Solar lights provided as part of security measure in Surulere.