Factionalism and other centrifugal tendencies often associated with Community Development Associations (CDAs), that stifle growth, will no longer be tolerated by the Delta State Government.
This is consequent upon the enactment of the Delta State Regulation of Community Development Associations Law signed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in December 2021.
The essence of the law, as explained by the Commissioner for Justice; Mr. Isaiah Bozimo and the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, was to foster peace and security in communities for sustainable development.
Addressing newsmen in Asaba, Mr. Aniagwu stressed that the legislation was devoid of any political undertone, but was intended to strengthen the interface between the government and the communities without interference.
‘’We are ready to deepen that peace by ensuring that the CDAs are well positioned as not to become another ‘center of crises’. We have seen instances where money, for instance, tears CDAs apart and shortchanges the community in question’’ Aniagwu said.
Also speaking, Mr. Bozimo stressed that the law sought more stable CDAs and was not intended to stifle them, but to regulate their activities and define guidelines under which they will operate in the best interest of their communities.
‘’In the past, we have had unfortunate situations where certain disputes and factions within CDAs have led to the breakdown of law and order. The purpose of this legislation is to regulate the activities of CDAs and not to stifle them.
‘’It is now illegal to have breakaway faction(s). Once a CDA submits its Constitution and its officers, it can no longer turn its back and bring a rival faction; the law proscribes such’’ he said.
Bozimo clarified that the supervising ministry of the legislation was the Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, which will interface with these CDAs and oversee their registration.
Among other requirements for the registration according to the new law, Bozimo who is also the state’s Attorney-General, said that the CDAs were expected to tender their bylaws, evidence of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission and other relevant documents to the supervising ministry for consideration.
‘…Likewise, there is rotation in terms of leadership; there is no perpetual leadership by one family or quarter. Therefore, the law seeks to enthrone our cherished democratic values of equal representation and inclusive governance in each of the associations’’
The law will also define the qualifications to via for leadership into the CDAs and restrict undeserving candidates from assuming positions against popular mandate, stressing that ‘’the law criminalizes and penalizes any factionalism’’.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development and Social Welfare, Mrs. Flora Alatan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Kevwe Agas, said that the CDAs were, among other requirements, expected to pay a stipulated amount into the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for their registration.
Delta State Information Commissioner, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in a conversation with the Delta State Justice Commissioner, Mr. Isaiah Bozimo, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs ,Community Development and Social Welfare, Mrs. Flora Alatan
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