Partner organisations implementing the Support for Effective Cooperation and Coordination of Cross-border Initiatives (SECCCI), a European Union co-funded project, to strengthen collaboration by ensuring better participation of local governments in its implementation.
Speaking during a virtual SECCCI Steering Committee Meeting this morning, the Governor insisted on more involvement of both the national and sub-national governments in planning and implementation, which he said will aid in smooth handover at the end of the projects period.
SECCCI project is a $10million, three-year initiative co-funded by the EU Emergency Fund for Africa, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by UNDP, UNEP and IGAD.
The Governor called on UNEP to aid government decision making on impending disaster over rising levels of Lake Turkana, by sharing information that will advise response. He noted so far over 3000 residents of Lakezone had been displaced and the situation could worsen with the expected spill-over of Turkwel dam caused by rising levels of water due to heavy rains upstream.
He highlighted collaboration efforts between the County Government and South Omo Zone Administration on peace efforts, with expectations for strengthening of engagements under SECCCI.
SECCCI project activities in Turkana began in 2019 with the setting up of the Cluster Coordination office currently collocated with the UN Delivery as One Office in Lodwar.
The project is implemented in South Omo, Turkana, Marsabit, Borana and Dawa borderlands of Ethiopia, Kenya Somalia to address drivers of conflict and instability, irregular migration and displacement in the target cross-border areas in the Horn of Africa through improved cross-border coordination and cooperation.
Its objectives are: to strengthen regional policy frameworks, structures and protocols for cross-border cooperation between national and local governments, the private sector, civil society and international technical and financial partners in development;
Build capacities of communities, local governments and civil society to fully engage in processes for development planning and results; and ensure effective cooperation and coordination, monitoring and evaluation of cross-border initiatives including involvement of relevant national and regional actors in those processes.
Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and ASALs Eugene Wamalwa and Devolution PS Micah Powon and a host of representatives from UNDP, IGAD and UNEP also addressed the meeting.
