Participants at a two day workshop in Bauchi advocate social inclusion in all policies formulation to enhance their implementation to the latter for the development of the country.
The workshop organized by a Bauchi based Non Governmental Organization, Sharing Education and Learning for Life SELL Foundation drew participants from the North Eastern states of Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba and Yobe as well as Plateau state.
Some of them Ms Patience Adejo from Plateau state and Victor David Kamai from Taraba state said when public hearing is organized for peoples’ inputs they would own the policy and ensure its implementation.
” If there is inclusion of critical stakeholders like women groups, Civil Society Organisations, Non Governmental Organizations, People Living with Disability, Children, Faith Based Organisations, Community Leaders to give their inputs on the policy it becomes peoples’ oriented… They said.
According to them most a time policies failed due to lack of involvements of the people during it formulation.
” We are from different states, we’ll also share ideas on how to protect our environments from destruction….” Patience Adejo said.
They called on government at all levels to also engage Civil Society and Non Governmental Organizations as well as People Living with Disability among others while formulating policies instead of engaging consultants.
Also speaking, the Project Coodinator Mr Beji Benjamin Jibe said the aim of organizing the workshop was to chart a new course for the participants to domesticate policies developed and ensure implementation as well as protect the environment from degradation.
“This is the tenth annual programme organized by the Foundation where we bring together our volunteers in states of the north east and Plateau to rub minds and reflect on our activities…..” Beji said.
Mr Beji Benjamin enjoined the participants to use the knowledge acquired to champion proper implementation of policies and laws like VAAP Laws, Child Right Act among others in their states.
” You see the aim is to find areas we’re doing well and identify challenges that we are facing in the cause of our work and chart a new course…” the Programme Coodinator explained.
A Converner Civil Liberty Organization, Jos, Plateau state Comrade Steve Aluko Daniel delivered lectures during the two days workshop with the theme, Promoting Human Rights and Save Environment through Policy Influence and Implementation: A Call for Action.