Oyo agency creates 20,000 jobs through 66 projects – Official

The Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA) has announced that the ongoing 66 micro-projects across communities in Oyo State have created 20,000 jobs for members of the communities that have skills in carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, and electrical engineering among others.

The Chairman of Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA), Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga, disclosed this at a one-day capacity-building workshop for Chairmen of the 34 local government areas, the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) and Desk Officers attached to OYCSDA’s micro-projects, where communities are implementing projects from the financial intervention of the agency.

Appreciating Governor Seyi Makinde for releasing funds for the micro-projects, Adeaga clarified that the projects include the construction or renovation of community health centers, provision of bedding, furniture and hospital equipment, construction or renovation of blocks of classrooms and toilets, teachers and students furniture and VIP toilets, drilling of boreholes as well as construction of culverts and line drainages to fight erosion.

In his remark, the Chairman of Lagelu Local Government, who spoke on behalf of other council chairmen, said they were happy with the development in their respective local government areas where the projects were sited and promised to give their support to ensure the projects are delivered to time and the standard is maintained.

General Manager of OYCSDA, Mr. Salau Jelili, pointed out that one of the essential principles of the World Bank-assisted programmes through the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) is synergy and collaboration among stakeholders and institutions, to achieve set goals, adding that the objectives of the workshop include empowering local government administrators with knowledge, skills, and techniques to take charge of the development of their people.

He also spoke on the topic “OYCSDA: Success Story” where he cataloged the achievements of the agency from the days of Local Empowerment and Environmental Management Project (LEEMP), CSDP till the present era of NG-CARES.

The second resource person was a former Operations Manager of OYCSDA,  Alhaji Amidu Adepoju, who spoke on “The Roles and Responsibilities of Local Government Review Committee and The Local Government Authority in The Implementation of NG-CARES Projects,”

Special guests at the occasion include the State’s Commissioner for Finance, who is the Chairman Steering Committee on NG-CARES/OYO-CARES, Mr. Akinola Ojo, who was represented by Mr. Giwa Babatunde, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, who was represented by the Director, Resident Registration and Research, Mr. Salisu Olaonipekun and Mrs Ajose Alirat who represented the Auditor-General of Oyo State, Mr. Olatunji Daramola.