NGO Identifies Causes of Poverty

from All Africa

Leadership (Abuja)

NEWS

By Bala Salihu D/Kudu, Dutse

In equitable distribution of resources, coupled with high rate of corruption among the populace breed poverty in Nigeria, the country Director for the Actionaid Nigeria (AAN) a non governmental organisation, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, has said.

He also declared that the issue of eradicating poverty lies solely on the shoulders of the government, saying the NGOs and CBOs can not do more than the advocacy and mobilisation work, while government has the financial capacity to effect the much needed change.

Igbuzor, who made the observation at the weekend, during a roundtable meeting with representatives of some NGOs and newsmen, explained that it is unfortunate that those charged with the responsibility of serving the populace ended up in serving their personal interests.

"It was becoming difficult to achieve poverty eradication in the country because the nation's resources were not being distributed equitably to make life better for the citizens", he observed.

He said the nation was blessed with abundant resources both natural and artificial which could be used to improve the lots of the people, especially if it could be channelled through the provision of qualitative and functional education for the people, improve security and empowerment of women.

The aims and objectives of his organisation he explained is to sensitize the people and advocate the need to have good governance and equal distribution of resources as well as fighting corruption.

To this end, he said, the Actionaid Nigeria (AAN), had, since its establishment about seven years ago, been investing money in projects which would improve the lives of the people which he disclosed, included schools, clinics and the control of the HIV/AIDS through the various NGOs in the country.

He explained that NGOs were assisting in realising the dream through advocacy and the provision of some infrastructures for the people.