June 25, 2020 – Joint SPMU Focal NGO Mission to Site of Queen and Ohovbe CIG Business Enterprises

In line with the NEWMAP principle of impacting lives and improving the livelihood situation of persons in intervention communities, GWSD participated in a NEWMAP SPMU led inspection visit to business enterprises of Community Interest Groups (CIG) in Ohovbe and Queen Ede Communities in Benin City. The mission centered on recording the successes of the CIG Livelihood activities – Impact, Innovation and Sustainability had in attendance the NEWMAP project coordinator, Tom Obaseki and other NEWMAP team members – Livelihood Officer, Communication Officer, M&E Officer alongside Staff of GWSD.

The Community Interest Group (CIG) is a child of the Alternative Livelihood component of NEWMAP, designed to enhance the livelihood of affected communities and those who live within the shadows of the gullies. Under this component, the project beneficiaries form Community Interest Groups using the Community Demand-driven Approach (CDD), and groups are empowered to develop business proposals and community action plans for funding. The alternative livelihood activities include Poultry, Fish, crops, Pig farms, tailoring, cassava, ICT, etc.

During the visit, Tom Obaseki, the Edo NEWMAP coordinator appreciated the groups for coming out to receive the team under such short notice and gave the reason for the visit as, to verify what is on the ground, listen to challenges and see how the groups can be supported.

In the course of the inspection, the beneficiaries recounted the impact the project has had on the lives of the group members, the transformation from being unemployed to becoming employers of labor and breadwinners of families.

The Chairman of Ohovbe Fishery CIG, while recounting his group success, revealed that 7 of the 15 group members are now owners of fish ponds, a clear reflection of the sustainability impact of the project on the lives of beneficiaries.

In his farewell message, the Chairman of Queen Ede Poultry CIG applauded the Project Coordinator for devoting time out of his busy schedule to participate in the visit and promised to make maximum use of the opportunity provided by NEWMAP.