ISLAMIC RELIEF COMMITTED TO CONTINUE SSFSS PROJECT
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- Created on Wednesday, 21 December 2011 09:53
- Published on Wednesday, 21 December 2011 09:54
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The District Governments and the Panglima Laot for both Singkil and Simeulue will support Islamic Relief’s program to continue the Sustainable Sea Fisheries project for Simeulue and Singkil (SSFS). This commitment was made during a Coordination Meeting between Islamic Relief and the Departments of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries [Dinas Kelautan dan Perikanan (DKP)] from the Province of Aceh and from both Simeulue District and Singkil District plus the Project Management Unit (PMU) for the Economic Development Financing Facility (EDFF), and the District Panglima Laots from both Singkil and Simeulue.
“We support Islamic Relief to continue the implementation of the SSFSS project, because this affects the welfare of (our) people”, said Mr. Riswan, the Panglima Laot for the District of Simeulue, on Thursday (8/12/2011).
The co-ordination meeting was held in the Grand Nanggroe Hotel to discuss the continuity of the SSFSS Project following the withdrawal of AOC as the local partner with Islamic Relief for the implementation of the SSFSS Program. As you should know, SSFSS is a program that is funded through the EDFF Project.
Meanwhile, the head of the DKP for Aceh Province, Mr A R Razali, who also attended the meeting, stated that coordination and communication between all related stakeholders, especially with the district governments, is crucial for the success of the project.
The District governments for each of the two project locations will actively participate in the implementation of the project in the future, also in monitoring the project. Up till now, communications between IR-AOC and the two governments has been lacking. “Islamic Relief and the District Governments will sit down together to determine the program priorities. “Because there is only a few months time left (to complete) the program”. he said.
Similarly, the head of the PMU for the EDFF, Prof. DR. Amhar Abubakar, M.Sc also stated: “After the EDFF program finishes, the district government is expected to continue the program that we have started. Therefore, it is important to coordinate with district level stakeholders” he said.
Islamic Relief admitted weaknesses in program implementation, both in management and in the field. However, project continuation is Islamic Reliefs’ main responsibility. “We are committed to continue this project until it is completed,” said Ali Noor, Country Director of Islamic Relief. Islamic Relief promised to work closely with the district governments. “We do not want to disappoint the people,” he added.
The SSFSS program aims to improve the economy of coastal communities, both direct and indirect beneficiaries through infrastructure assistance, capital investment, training programs and capacity building, as well as building networks and market access for (the) fishermen.
As you know the EDFF project is funded by grants from the MDF with a budget mechanism from the Treasury Department. The fund is allocated through the Ministry for Development of Neglected Areas [Kementerian Pem-bangunan Daerah Tertinggal (KPDT)], following the National Budget [APBN] mechanism. While the World Bank has been appointed as a (program) partner as well as a project supervisor.
