The Nasarawa State Government has stated that it will begin regulating and monitoring the activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state to curb unwholesome practices, News About Nigeria reports.
The State Commissioner of Humanitarian, Social Services, and Non-Governmental Organisations, Margret Elayo, made this known while addressing newsmen in the state, noting that the government has increasing concerns over what she described as sharp practices in the operations of some NGOs.
She said that in a bid to regulate, supervise, and monitor the activities of the organisations, the state government has set up mechanisms and platforms to regulate and stem the access of most of the organisations in the state.
According to her, it will be an offence for any NGO to operate in the state without being identified and registered under one platform for easy monitoring and regulation by the existing law of the state.
“When I assumed office as commissioner, the first thing we did as a ministry was to create a platform to enable us to obtain data, and information, as well as the records and numbers of NGOs in the state.
“This is to ensure that we do not have a duplication where two or three NGOs carry out the same function where other departments will be lacking.
“If you are not on that platform, then you are not an NGO in Nasarawa State. As a ministry, we will not accommodate or condone the activities of any NGO that is not on the platform,” she stated.
She further disclosed that the ministry was collaborating with international bodies who were willing to donate funds to serious NGOs working in the state, adding that NGOs have been instrumental to the enhancement of the lives of vulnerable people in Nasarawa State, providing essential support to meet their basic needs.
