22 Jan 2014

Chairperson of the Non-Governmental  Organisations Council, Ms Bookie Ketusegile has encouraged community based organisations (CBOs) to be transparent and accountable at all times. 

Officiating at the NGO council visibility workshop in Kang, Ms Ketusegile indicated that CBOs were instrumental in empowering livelihoods in remote areas hence a lot needed to be done to ensure both their viability and sustainability.

She explained that CBOs are formed to empower the livelihoods of the locals through installing the spirit of self-reliance on communities which is done through the passage of legislation to allow the local or regional bodies to profit from localities and other wild resources in communal areas.

Therefore, they can play many unique roles that draw upon their strengths and capacities as community-oriented institutions. “CBOs are interested in building their organisational capacity to take on brownfields redevelopment and other related activities”, she indicated.

In addition to learning how to partner and play different roles, many CBOs  she said are beginning to expand their traditional focus beyond housing or community services to encompass a broader range of economic development activities, such as property redevelopment, hence a need for belt tightening in-terms of resource accountability.

Many CBOs, she said, are however marred by irregularity and mismanagement of funds, a thing which she said lead to their downfall. “It is regrettable to note that some CBOs board members have a tendency of abusing the power conferred on them by exploiting funds and resources for their personal gain and interests, something which he said has hugely contributed to the crumpling of many community trusts”.

She said that mechanisms like transparency, openness and flexibility must be in place to ensure and foster accountability which will in the long run translate to the success of the community based organisations. ENDS