NGO DONATES COMPUTERS TO YENAGOA LOCAL GOVT COUNCIL

A non-governmental organization, the Stakeholders Democracy Network has provided over six flat screen computers to the Yenagoa Local Government Council, Bayelsa State.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday at the premises of the Council, the Country Director of Stakeholders Democracy Network, Ms. Pueba Damka explained that the set of computers would facilitate the process of modernizing Yenagoa Local Government Council administration. Damka said the project, a unit of a multidimensional major project embarked upon by the Stakeholders Democracy Network and funded by United Kingdom Department for International Development, (DFID), and the Canadian Embassy would enhance the efficiency and productivity of the Council.

Damka informed that as a measure of capacity building, the first batch of operators would be trained on computer skills as well as security of the systems.

She disclosed that the Yenagoa Council project cost a minimal sum of N1.2 million, saying that the acceptance of partnership by Council management was encouraging for the organization.

According to Damka, the organization was out to assist communities affected by the activities of the extractive industry to negotiate their drive towards development.

She also said the organization identifies areas of needs of communities and build capacities on them as well as carry out advocacy for good governance.

Damka expressed hope that the computers would be maximally utilized to achieve effective data management for smooth administration of the Council.

Also speaking, the commissioner for Information, Culture and Communication, Pastor Ebiowei Sokare highlighted the significance of computers in modern administration, adding that the Council had become the first local government council in the state to apply computers in rural administration.

While saying that the state government was delighted at the project, Sokare assured that government was interested in the modernization of rural administration with computer applications.

Sokare expressed appreciation to Stakeholders Democracy Network for the gesture and advised the Council to optimize the use of the system to justify the provision of the computers.