Yobe State Government has initiated a partnership with the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa) in the socioeconomic development of local government areas of the state.
This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, the Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, in Damaturu on Monday, February10, 2025.
Yobe State Government and UCLG Africa officials during the meeting in Rabat, Morocco
UCLG Africa is the umbrella body for three pre-existing continental groups of local government organisations: the African Union of Local Authorities (AULA), the Union des Villes Africaines (UVA) and the Africa Chapter of the Unao dos Ciudades Capitaes Lusofono Africana, (UCCL AFRICA).
It is currently headquartered in the city of Rabat, The Kingdom of Morocco, where it enjoys a diplomatic status as a Pan-African International Organisation.
Part of its mandate is to build capacity in African local governments, mobilise resources and facilitate development based on the priorities of African local communities.
Mohammed said that modalities of funding the projects in Yobe local communities were discussed when Alhaji Baba Wali, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and UCLGA Secretary General, Mr Jean Mbassi, met in Rabat on Monday.
“The projects would be funded through the African Forum for Decentralised Cooperation (FACDI), which will provide 60 per cent, with the Moroccan government providing 20 per cent while the benefitting local governments would provide 10 per cent in kind, including land for the projects.
“There are windows for the local governments to benefit from effectively combat climate change, desert encroachment and floods.
“There are opportunities to source funds from the Green Climate Fund to support the fight against climate change and its consequences on the people,” Mbassi said.
In his remarks, Wali, who led the state government’s delegation to Rabat, described the discussions as fruitful, saying Yobe government would hasten registration process to facilitate the programme.
The SSG said the state government would explore opportunities for capacity building for local government staff, especially through the College of Administration Management and Technology (CAMTEC) Potiskum.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Jajere, said that the partnership would make local government councils to become proactive in administration and service delivery.
“The ministry has the mandate of Governor Mai Mala Buni to support the local government councils to deliver efficient services to the people.
“We would be on the same page to fast track the partnership in the interest of our people,” he assured.
Alhaji Bukar Adamu, Chairman, Damaturu Local Government Council and Association of Local Governments in Nigeria ( ALGON), Yobe Chapter, said that the 17 local government areas of the state were ready to key into the programme for its immense benefits.
By Nabilu Balarabe