The Cross River State Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project Team has engaged stakeholders in Bansara Community, Ogoja Local Government Area, as part of efforts to develop an inclusive, effective and community-responsive Communication Strategy for the implementation of the SPIN Project in the state.
The engagement, led by the State Project Coordinator, Engr. Mrs. Justina John Ulafor, alongside the National Communication Specialist, Engr. Anthea Udo, featured a Town Hall Meeting, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and beneficiary surveys administered through KoboCollect.
Speaking during the exercise, Engr. Ulafor explained that the objective was to gather inclusive and relevant data to inform the development of a robust Communication Strategy that takes into account the peculiarities, needs and realities of the beneficiary communities.
She noted that the exercise was designed to ensure that the voices, experiences and perspectives of community members are captured and reflected in the project's communication approach. According to her, this is consistent with the People First Agenda of the Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, which places the people at the centre of government policies and programmes.
The State Project Coordinator expressed appreciation to Governor Otu for the political will and support that facilitated the enlistment of Cross River State as a participating state in the SPIN Project. She also commended the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, for his proactiveness and commitment towards ensuring the successful implementation of the project in the state.
Following the Town Hall Meeting, participants were divided into Focus Group Discussions comprising men, women, youths and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The discussions provided an opportunity for each group to freely share their experiences, concerns, expectations and recommendations regarding the project.
The team also conducted Key Informant Interviews with selected community stakeholders and administered beneficiary survey questionnaires through KoboCollect to obtain relevant information on beneficiaries' experiences, information needs and expectations.
The exercise provided the project team with valuable insights that will guide the development of a communication strategy aimed at promoting effective information flow, meaningful stakeholder participation, transparency and responsive project implementation.
The Community Leader, Elder Simon Edi, and other members of the community expressed appreciation to the SPIN Project Team for selecting Bansara for the intervention. They welcomed the opportunity to contribute their views to the process and expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the project to the community.
The Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project is aimed at strengthening irrigation infrastructure and supporting climate-resilient agricultural production. In Cross River State, the Bansara Irrigation Scheme has been earmarked for the development of irrigation infrastructure covering approximately 630 hectares of irrigable land.
The intervention is expected to contribute to flood control, promote year-round agricultural production, increase farmers' productivity and incomes, and strengthen food security in Cross River State and Nigeria.
By Blessing Enagu
