JDPC Empowers Fellows to Strengthen, Reform Local Government System in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Nnewi, Anambra state has reiterated its commitment towards championing strengthening and reformation of local government system in the state.

Director, Rev Fr Ben Okolo gave the assurance this at the Monthly Leadership and Governance Workshop (MLGW) organized as part of the ALGAF project, being implemented in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and funding support from UK FCDO.

Okolo, represented by the Programme Manager, Onyekachi Ololo said part of the commitment was equipping fellows capable of holding office holders accountable at local government level to serve interest of the people.

He added that the fellows were expected to raise active citizens conscious of their rights and responsibilities especially at the grassroots.

He said, “We’re building their capacities in different areas, including story telling and social media optimization. We also equipping them on risks and emergency preparedness while engaging political actors.

“We all agreed that Local Government system needs to be strengthened and reformed. We’re tired of the local government system we’re experiencing, especially in the areas of security, access to education and health.

“We’re equipping fellows committed to development and change to send them to the field to track government policies, programmes and budgeting. We’re happy some of the fellows were already engaging their local government chairmen.”

Okolo revealed that the 45 fellows, 15 from each senatorial zones were drawn from different communities, including JONAPWD, Children Parliament, Community Based Organizations, elderly persons and students.

He added that the project which commenced in August and would end next year March.

One of the resource persons, Sir John Ifejika, in his presentation titled “Local Government Governance and Politics: Risk Factors and Emergency Preparedness, argued that Local Government was meant for grassroots development.

He however lamented series of challenges facing local government officials, despite Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, namely autonomy, state government interference, financial constructs, corruption, among others.

“The state government turns LG into extension of state ministry; controls them by reducing their independence. Governors controls their funds by what they call “Joint Accounts” thereby misusing their resources and limit their thinking.

“Local government IGRs are controlled by state government. There is lack of transparency in auditing of account and the brown envelope system,” he added.

Another resource person, Dr Gabriel Alonta of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in his presentation on “Storytelling and social media optimization”, took participants on how to employ story telling to draw home their messages.

“There are a lot of things going on at the local government level that you are to beam the searchlight on. But, to do that successfully, you must be abreast of the issues and how they impact the citizens.

“We are in an era of citizens journalism and everyone of you has access to the internet and social media platforms where you can drive greater impact as ALGAF fellows.

“Social media optimization will help you to reach greater number of people with your storytelling and your impact will be greater,” he posited.

A former local government administrator, Chuks Iwuchukwu regretted abuse of local government over the years, urging participants to resolve to effect the needed transformation.

“Now, most departments and institutions in the local government have been made redundant while those at the state level have taken over their jobs.

“Some of the departments are going into extinction with lowest staff currently on level 13. People are now more interested in the money and not in getting the job done.

“People who are supposed to ensure that the system works are the ones abusing it. Today, local government allocations are being hijacked,” he added.

The engagement also featured reports from various fellows on their interactions with their various local government authorities.