NGO To Citizens: Always Demand For Accountability From LGA Bosses

Posted by Ignatius Okpara African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Sunday, June 20th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A Rivers State, South- South Nigeria, based Non governmental organization NGO, Social Action, has challenged Civil Society organizations (CSOs), Community groups and leaders to always engage, and demand for financial accountability and transparency from Council Chairmen in their respective localities.

It insisted that its the constitutional right of citizens to know how funds accruable to that tier of government, be it the Statutory monthly federal government’s allocation or internally Generated Revenue (IGR), in various Council areas in Nigeria, are utilized by those elected to pilot their affairs.

The organization, which has its headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, said she is highly supportive of the ongoing clamour and Campaign for local government Autonomy and Accountability for effective service delivery in Nigeria.

Speaking with newsmen weekend during a two day capacity building workshop organized by the NGO, for Civil Society organizations CSOs, Community Based groups and Leaders in Enugu state, it’s Senior programme officer, Prince Edegbuo, regretted that lack of transparency and accountability at the Council Areas over the years, has continued to hinder development.

Our Correspondent who covered the workshop with the theme: ‘Strengthening Community Voices for LGAs Service Delivering and Autonomy’ reports that the organization is using Aninri and Enugu South Council areas of the State as pilot local government areas for the capacity building workshop.

According to Edegbuo, “this is a capacity building programme for CSOs, CBOs, and Community groups and leaders. It’s aimed at building their capacity on how to engage and hold LGAs managers accountable on the utilization of public funds for the development of Communities.

“This project is geared towards the demand for full Autonomy and independence of the LGA system in Nigeria, such that it will take that tier of government away from the whims and caprices of the state governors, because Nigeria operates a three tier of governments.

He posited that “The appendage of LGAs to the state governments is what has made the local government system non functional to the detriment of the Communities, and it’s high time we begin to talk about the Separation of the LGAs from the State, so as to enable them function effectively.

Edegbuo, said: “Let every tier of government have it’s own Autonomy, so that we can hold each one accountable and responsible for failing to do what they are supposed to do.

The programme officer hinted that the organization has plans to also build the capacity of LGA Staff and media personnel in parts of the county, because you can’t be talking of development without the media” he stated.

“So, the CSOs and the Communities will be doing the engagement of the LGA Chiefs, while the media will be doing the reporting, and through such collaboration, we will get positive results.

The Workshop featured several paper presentations with different topics, such as “Gender Budgeting and Social Inclusion”, “Local government Administration and Community Development”, “Advocacy Communication and Adjustment for Development, among others.