A combination of hard work, dedication and collaboration, remains the fuel behind AIVDP’s progress in its third year of implementation. Noticeable advancements in infrastructures such as Rural Markets, Farm Gate Hangers and Health Centres have been made in various Basins with some completed already. Beneficiaries alike have taken notice, expressing eagerness by already putting infrastructures close to completion, to use.

Along with jubilations of soon to be completed structures, lie key two concerns; who will be responsible for these infrastructures and how will these structures be sustained? Those well versed in development initiatives agree that the answer lies with beneficiary communities. It is well documented that community participation is vital for ensuring success in Project execution in addition to ensuring longevity of infrastructure provided to their communities. Beneficiaries such as Mr. Gilbert, the Secretary General of a water management committee in Fako Mountain Basin solidifies this statement by noting, ‘When community members participate, it shows that there’s going to be sustainability in the Project. It also ensures that they take ownership of the project, which will enable them to manage and protect what the Project has given us.’

Management Committees also known as MANCOMs, consist of a group of individuals who have been awarded authority and duties in tending to matters relating to infrastructure and equipment as well as ensuring that specific activities are executed in a timely fashion. The management of the affairs of these infrastructures or equipment’s can be executed before, during or after the construction or installation. Elected by members of their community, the Executive branch of MANCOMs comprises of a President, Vice President, and Financial Secretary. The primary reason behind such the formation of such committees is to ensure the long term use and success of the infrastructure by guarantee that infrastructures and equipment remain functional both presently and in future years to come. Elections of MANCOMs, which usually follow sensitizations, are facilitated by the Project’s Field staff and usually take place at general assemblies of beneficiary communities.

Pictured above (clockwise): Elected Members of MANCOM Executive Branch in Nguti Basin, Community Members Undergoing Election Process in Lakes basin, Members of Executive Branch in Mungo Basin, Community Members Preparing for Elections in Mbio Basin

Due to socio-cultural factors many women and youths have often been side-lined during the creation of MANCOMs. This gender imbalance in committees can give way to governance concerns which puts committees on a fast track to disintegration. In keeping in line with the Project’s gender mainstreaming mission, AIVDP strives to make certain that all MANCOMs include men, women, and youth, by encouraging representation of all through inclusive elections.

Pictured Above: Women and Youth in Fako Mountain Make Presence Known in MANCOM Elections of Farmgate Hanger

When commenting on committees the Project’s field staff shared observations and predictions from their Basins with the Lakes Basin Supervisor reporting that ‘Forming MANCOMs created more awareness of the Project given that most community members and village traditional councils were present.’’ On how they predicted the formation of these committees would foster dynamics between communities and the Project the Mungo Basin Supervisor stated, ‘Facilitating the creation of MANCOMs will enable us to know our communities more and improve our interactions and communication with community members, since it requires mass gatherings. Most importantly, it will also ensure community participation which will encourage community members to know more about how they’ll benefit from the Project.’