Nice urges Salima people to be involved in development
National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has said the attainment of sustainable development in the country can only be achieved if people from the grassroots are fully involved in implementation of various community projects.
Salima Nice Trust assistant district civic education officer Pilirani Chaguza said this on Tuesday at Pemba Community-Based Organisation (CBO) Traditional Authority (T/A) Pemba in the district during the orientation of Chindungwa Citizen Forum.
He said development cannot take place in the communities if people remain voiceless on crucial issues that would transform their areas.
Said Chaguza: “For quite a long time, people from the rural communities have neither been involved in development activities nor accorded a chance to speak out their concerns despite hurdles they face.
“This was happening because there was nobody to act as their mouth-piece. This has culminated in a passive society which has failed to question duty-bearers and service providers when they fail to fulfil and deliver promises they made; hence, suffocating development.”
He said it is exciting to note that communities are able to take to task duty-bearers and service providers on critical issues which was not happening before.
“I would like to encourage this newly-established citizen forum to be active in following development issues that is happening in this area,” said Chaguza.
In his remarks, Chindungwa Citizen Forum chairperson Hashim Dulaji said the area has lagged in terms of development.
He said the formation of the forum will help them to start demanding development from relevant authorities. n
