Bashir Opaluwa Idris
Kogi State Project Coordinator of Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Dr. Abdulhakeem Bello has inaugurated the State Grievance, Redress Committee for State Project Implementation Unit.
The AGILE project is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and empowering adolescent girls across Kogi State.
Performing the ceremony in Lokoja, the State Project Coordinator of AGILE, Dr. Abdulhakeen Bello said the Grievance Redress Committee will play a pivotal role in ensuring that any issues or complaints within the project are handled fairly, transparently, and promptly.
Dr. Bello noted that the committee will not only serve as a vital channel for stakeholders to voice their concerns but will also strengthen trust, accountability, and the overall success of the AGILE project.
The Project Coordinator highlighted the critical role of the GRC in safeguarding the success of the AGILE project by ensuring that concerns, challenges and complaints from stakeholders are handled transparently, efficiently and promptly.
Dr. Bello emphasized that contractors who deviate from the terms of reference in executing AGILE-related projects will henceforth face sanctions, including possible arrest and prosecution.
In a presentation, the GRC Secretary, Roseline Ozovehe explained the importance of an accessible and inclusive grievance redress mechanism for project stakeholders.
Similarly, the Environmental Safeguard Specialist, Olatunde Michael, stressed the potential environmental and social concerns that could arise during project implementation, such as noise, dust emission, waste management, and land use issues.
He also underscored the importance of adhering to environmental and social frameworks, including the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), to mitigate the impacts.