Kalapara (Patuakhali) Correspondent
There is no alternative to accountability and transparency in implementing community-based climate governance. Besides, irregularities in disaster management, misuse of funds allocated to combat climate risks, lack of transparency in the distribution of relief during and after disasters, and lack of participation of grassroots or marginalized people in development projects are major obstacles. These views were expressed by speakers at a seminar organized by non-governmental development organization Wave Foundation at the hall room of Kalapara Press Club on Thursday at 11 am. The seminar of the Web Foundation’s Strengthening Climate Governance through Grassroots Participation in Bangladesh (SCGGP) project was chaired by Project Officer Ashikur Rahman and the President of Kalapara Press Club, Nesaruddin Ahmed Tipu, was the chief guest. Kalapara Press Club General Secretary Amal Mukherjee was the special guest. The organization’s Community Mobilization Officer Sonia Akhter was also present. Speakers at the seminar said that social accountability and justice must be established in implementing climate governance to address climate risks. Transparency and accountability must be ensured in the agricultural assistance and rehabilitation budget allocated for cyclone victims in coastal areas. Along with training, awareness must be raised. Various irregularities and abuses in the distribution of emergency relief must be prevented. The administrative expenses allocated for project implementation are increased three to four times. Such unnecessary administrative expenses must be reduced. In the second session of the seminar, journalists participating in three groups took a hypothetical budget and presented its various inconsistencies in the form of proposals. Journalists working in print and electronic media from Kalapara Press Club, Kalapara Reporters Unity, and Kalapara Reporters Club were present at the seminar.