Akwa Ibom News Online Commentary

This is a co-operative philosophy for sustainable rural development.

This concept is base on unity is power, one alone is weak but co-operative or union is strength. It is a known fact that it is easier and more profitable to do things in oneness.

Therefore, a successful poverty reducing strategy in this state will require a strong and focused emphasis on economic growth, increased access to social services, adequate infrastructures, public sector capacity and its transparency, accountability and partnership for poverty alleviation.

Government should form co-operative societies in the rural areas and provide incentives that will propel rural dwellers to join the co-operative societies for sustainable economic growth. Sustainable economic growth based on sound economic policies has been widely recognized as a paramount factor for poverty reduction.

These co-operative societies will go a long way to improving the social and economic life of the rural members through their associated efforts and participation.

These co-operatives should work under the guidance of the state government which drew up plans, sponsor, executive and control.

This is one of the social re-engineering processes that should be initiated for Rural Sustainable Development (RSD), and the out come will be appreciated as the essence of democratic valves and good governance.

The path to sustainable rural livelihood, poverty alleviation and eradication of mass unemployment therefore, lies on giving a robust life to certain institutions, in using them as channels of production of goods and services, of employment, of rural transportation and uplifting the standard of living of the rural dwellers.

Other community organisations such as rural youths’ federations and rural women’s self-help groups should be set-up by the State government in all the wards and encourage facilitating the process of rural or community driven development. These institutions will go a long ways to improving the living condition of the rural youths and women, who without means of livelihood move to urban areas to constitute nauseate. These institutions work best if they have some independent means of sustaining themselves which is usually enabled by introducing them to micro-credit schemes. For example, a women’s federation should be encourage to set-up Mill which should comprise of Cracker, Digester, Grinding machine, and Mill press in their ward for rural women empowerment and have access a loan-based scheme for animal husbandry, Cassava and fish farming among others. There should be considerably reduction in agriculture input costs (seeds, fertilisers and pesticides) through bulk purchases based on demand from member institutions, simultaneously ensuring the quality of inputs supplied. These organisations would also contribute to improved cropping techniques, rational use of fertilisers and the adoption of appropriate low-cost technologies.

These groups will assist in social campaigns such as reducing unnecessary expenditure on social customs, promoting the education of girls, anti-liquor campaigns, anti-cultism, anti-kidnapping, and the promotion of organic farming in the rural area and region. Mass awareness campaigns by rural women’s groups will led to a reduction in wasteful and extravagant expenditure on weddings and on social customs such as ‘funeral feasts.’ Rural communities should receive financial management training to support the effectiveness and sustainability of village-level institutions. In addition to institution building, programme activities needed for rural development delivery strategies also include human resource development which has to do with skills development to build up the skills base of rural dwellers or villagers, especially youths and women. For example, youths should be trained to repair and maintain Water hand-pumps. The provision of water borehole with standing tank and generator in the rural areas by Local Government Councils should be discourage as ex-councilors engage in selling the water to rural women on the excuse that they need money to fuel the generator.

In another water scare area, a women’s group should be assisted to buy or buy them a water tanker which they will use to sell safe drinking water to house builders practically at their doorsteps and at fixed and mutually agree to prices. This would considerably reduce water scarcity in the area by providing water supply and also saves them the time they earlier spent on collecting water.

In another area youths should be trained as masons and key resource people should be provided with technical skills to plan, implement and maintain the development activities. The ultimate goal is for people in the participating communities to have the access, confidence and competence to make informed choices from a range of appropriate development options. Sewing center should be opened in each of the senatorial district for training of rural youths and women. The center should be jointly finance by the State government, NDDC and the Local government for training of rural women and youths. If this is effectively managed, it will be source revenue for the government for further development of the rural areas.

Ekerete John Ekerete

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