Centre LSD, IPCRC urge stakeholders collaboration towards effective LG reforms

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

 
African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) in partnership with International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC) have called for stakeholders supports in actualising a full local government autonomy for massive socieconomic development.

The groups made the call at a stakeholders meeting held in Awka, Anambra State capital, noting that the third tier of government been closer to the people could create more opportunities for the State and federal government to thrive if allowed to operate independently without undue political and economic interferences.

The programme held in Awka but implemented as strengthened transparency, accountability and governance process (Stage 2 project) under the theme operationalization of Local Government autonomy in Anambra State, was attended by leadership of Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), civil society members, security officers, PWDs, community leaders, scholars, government representative, media and others.

Speaking at the occasion, the President, IPCRC, Prince Chris Azor, argued that allowing local government system to be operational could also assist in mobilising votes, especially in a State like Anambra where poor voters turnout were always been recorded partly due to masses lost of confidence in government.

According to him, the programme was both timely and strategic because a true autonomy for local governments was not just about constitutional provisions because it brings governance closer to the people, improve service delivery, as well as restores citizens’ confidence in democracy.

"I must acknowledge with gratitude the support of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, FCDO, whose partnership continues to strengthen accountability and good governance across Nigeria. I also appreciate the Anambra State Government, local government authorities, and community stakeholders here with us. Your leadership and cooperation are indispensable.

"This meeting is even more crucial as we prepare for the Anambra governorship election in November. One of our biggest challenges is voter apathy, especially among our youth and grassroots communities. If people feel disconnected from governance, they lose the motivation to participate. That is why our work on autonomy and accountability is so important– it builds the trust that encourages citizens to come out and vote.

"So, I call on our communities, our women, and especially our young people: this is your state, your future, your voice. Come out, participate, and make your votes count. As civil society, we pledge to keep advocating, mobilizing, and working with government, INEC, security agencies, and partners to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible election," he added.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Centre LSD, Mr Monday Osasah, represented by Mr Itia Otabor, the Director of Strategy, explained that the project was aimed at identifying and addressing the gaps in local government autonomy despite Supreme Court rulings and advocating for constitutional reform to resolve contradictory sections.

"In Stage One, we focused on the conduct of local government elections in Anambra State, which before then had not been conducted for the past 10 years. So, in Stage Two, what we are focusing on is local government autonomy in summary. We are saying that even with the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, there's still a lot of gap in the operationalization of local government autonomy.

"So, today's activity is one of the key activities that we have mapped out to interrogate that process. The keynote speaker highlighted a lot of things that for some people were not even known before that time. We have noted his submission, and like we also mentioned, we are also instituting an independent research into this same matter. But from what he highlighted, it definitely means that we need to also go and restrategize.

"We must ensure that that those contradictory sections of the constitution are taken care of. As part of a network that is also working on electoral and constitutional reform, I'm going to take this particular observation into that larger group. We're going to see how we can begin to push it at the level of constitutional and electoral reform. So, that's one of the takeaways for us in terms of the next steps that we want to begin to look at," he added.

Delivering a Keynote address, a political scientist and staff of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Dr Madumelu Harrison Madubueze, lamented that expressed dismay over the federal and states government alleged collaborations in witling the power of local government possibly because of allocations.

Madubueze, represented by Dr Chukwuemeka Etodike, argued that allowing the LG system to be active would be to the benefits of all, because according to him, it has the people, programmes and activities needed for survival of other tiers of government in quantum.

According to him, the LG system would offer better opportunities to tackle unemployment, insecurities and bad leadership in Nigeria because the community members have full knowledge of their residents and natives and could easily identify and prosecute the hoodlums among them accordingly while supporting the leadership and good people to thrive in their areas of specialities.

"If local government is working, you can challenge any bad leadership and nothing will stop you. They are more powerful than the State and governors can't control them. It is where the masses live and where the numbers are. They were previously in charged of the parks and markets before States hijacked them," he stated.

He, therefore, urged the government at all levels and people to support the call to improve the LGA administration in Anambra State and Nigeria generally through policies, legal realignments and political solutions, including amendment of Section 162 for direct allocations, mandatory elections, curbing caretaker committees, and training for oversight to enhance accountability.

"Achieving intended LGA roles requires collective effort beyond current stagnation. Policies like fiscal collaborations in Anambra's 2024 law need realignment for true autonomy. Nationally, anti-corruption measures and internal controls are vital. Political solutions involve community participation. Legal realignments to align state laws with constitutional amendments prevent bottlenecks. In Anambra, refocusing on bureaucratic professionalism aids improvements.

" Policies for rural development extend benefits. Political solutions like stakeholder engagements ensure sustainability. In Anambra, environmental stewardship policies enhance service delivery. National extensions include capacity building. A comprehensive improvement will blend policies, realignments, and solutions for effective LGAs. Refocusing goals through insights can enhance efficacy. This is essential for democratic deepening," he stated.

Contributing, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Anambra State Civic and Social Reformation Office (ANCISRO), Sir Chuka Nnabuife, and the State Secretary, IPAC, Hon. Uzochukwu Eminent assured that they would mobilise support for actualisation of the objectives of the training by relating the knowledge with others across the State and beyond.