Garissa County government in partnership with its development partners seeks to create ward-planning committees to enhance devolution and service delivery to the residents.
Speaking today during a stakeholder’s workshop at a Garissa hotel, environment CEC Habon Maalim urged development partners in the area to chip in and help in the creation of these committees that are key in fast-tracking development at the lowest levels
“Garissa County is vast, and the resources and expertise are limited. There is therefore the need for our partners to chip in and help in the formation of these important grassroots units which are key in realizing devolution and development at the lowest levels,” Maalim said.
Maalim said the main aim of the ward planning committees are to streamline governance by spearheading and informing on matters which touch on issues affecting a particular ward.
The CEC further said that ward committees would tackle issues on peace and cohesion, land, development, environment, water, education and resource allocation on the grassroots level.
“These ward committees will make recommendations to the county planning committee which will help in shaping decision making and mitigating against a waste of resources and impromptu development since every decision is guided by the ward development plan,” she added.
Mercy corps, a development partner, which has supported the formation of three ward committees in Banane, Bura and Masalani unveiled a local partner; Road International Organization that will carry out a similar exercise in Balambala and Waberi wards.
The project is implemented under a collaboration of the County government and the LMS-Mercy corps program.
Mercy Corps County Program Coordinator Siyat Moge said the aim of LMS program was to enhance the capacity of the local partners as they drive such initiatives in future.
Moge thanked the County government for creating the conducive environment to achieve these milestones.
On her part, Maalim commended Mercy corps for its approach on addressing community issues.
“My department took the lead in the formation of the ward based development committees and I will tell you getting the community priorities through this process was a great lesson,” she said.
Garissa Deputy Speaker Mohamud Abass who is also Waberi ward MCA and Aden Abaile of Balambala ward expressed optimism that the new units would improve the quality of lives for their people.
Abass noted the program implements a poverty graduation model where ultra-poor women access grants to start-up businesses.
“Having the ward plan is a twofold success to the people of Waberi,” he added.
Bura ward Abdullahi Omar echoed the sentiments by colleagues saying his ward was the pioneer ward after creating the forward-based planning as well as poverty graduation model. He expressed hope that eventually, all the 30 wards in Garissa would each be able to have its own program.
By Jacob Songok
