CIVIL SOCIETY vOICE
AN EDITORIAL PUBLICATION OF CROSS RIVER STATE CIVIL SOCIETY
EDITION 001
DEMAND
FOR THE CREATION OF A CRS COMMISSION FOR CIVIL SOCIETY/NGOs
In recent times the activities of
Civil Society Organisations/Non-Governmental Organisation has
continued to make substantial impact on human, social and sustainable
development across every corner of the globe. The role of Civil Society in
governance has enabled the advancement of democracy in fragile and even
developed societies by their defense of values, principles and social behavior
without consideration for parochial interest.
Undoubtedly, Civil Society Groups have set the global agenda
in addressing poverty, HIV/AIDs, environmental emergencies, humanitarian
crises, human right abuses etc. In many countries today,
representatives of Civil Society Organisations have been appointed to governing
council/boards of public institution. Public and International Donor funds have
been allotted to Civil Society Organisations to undertake development projects
thereby complementing the responsibilities of Government institutions and
international development organizations while also demanding that these
institutions effectively perform their duties to the people.
One thing is clear, for Civil
Society Organisations to truly be the cornerstone of society, just like the
role Civil and Public service plays, it is required that they remain Non
partisan without loyalty to any political party but championing the
collective interest of the society without discrimination. It is on this note
that we call on the government of Cross River State to take a step ahead
by supporting the call by the Civil Society Networks in Cross River State,
arising from their meeting at the Global Dreams hotel, Calabar on the 16th
of August, 2013, for the establishment of a Cross River State Commission
for Civil Society/Non-Governmental Organisations that is backed by law, through
a legislation of the Cross River State House of Assembly, having Civil Society
practitioners as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Commissioners.
The proposed Commission should be
provided with adequate public funds to support the development projects of
accredited/ competent Civil Society Networks and regularly monitor the
organization for internal democracy, financial transparency and leadership
accountability. This commission will also be expected to facilitate the
participation of Civil Society in government activities and programs while
ensuring that their independence and Non Partisan status is not compromised.
We commend the Governor of Cross
River State for the creation of a department for Civil Society/NGOs but
now call on him to move a step further to support the establishment of a
more sustainable Commission that will not be limited to one administration.
