By Uzo Ugwunze
Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) Nnewi, Anambra state has restated its commitment to confronting realities of governance at the grassroots.
Director, Rev. Fr. Ben Okolo gave the assurance during State High-Level Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Local Government System Strengthening for Anambra Local Governance Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF) organized by Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Nnewi (JDPC) in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
He described the engagement as not just another event, but a moment of reckoning and opportunity.
He said, “This is a moment of reckoning because we must honestly confront the realities of governance at the grassroots.
“An opportunity because we are gathered here with the capacity, the authority and the collective will to reimagine a better system.
“At the Justice, Development and Peace Caritas Nnewi, our mission has always been rooted in justice, human dignity, and inclusive development.
“Through our partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, we launched the Anambra Local Governance Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF).
“This initiative is built on a simple but powerful belief: Governance works best when citizens are not spectators, but active participants.
“Across the nine pilot Local Government Areas, we have engaged communities, listened to citizens, interacted with local government actors, and observed systems.
“We keep sharing experiences during our peer review to enable do better to get the job.”
Speaking on the theme, “Reimagining Local Governance and Administration in Anambra: Strengthening Citizen Participation, Accountability, and Community-Driven Development,” Aguata Council Chairman, Hon Chibueze Ofobuike stressed the need for strengthened local government capable of driving development at the grassroots.
“Prior to 2024, this engagement wouldn’t have been necessary because everything was concentrated at the centre with low citizens involvement.
“Whatever that’s obtainable now can be reimagined, including fiscal aspect, personnel, common services, accountability, legal framework under the LG administration law of 2024, among others.
“Even though the system is not yet perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction and work in progress. If LG system is strengthened, Anambra will be strengthened and our people will have more access to good governance at the grassroots,” he added.
Chairman, Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC), Sir Vin Dike identified strengthening local governance as essential to ensuring an inclusive, transparent and responsive to the needs of the people.
ASTUC under my leadership remain a critical link between government and the grassroots. Their role in promoting unity, participation, and accountability cannot be overstated.
While commending the organisers for creating the platform for collaboration and meaningful engagement, Dike expressed confident that the outcomes of the dialogue would contribute significantly to improving governance and fostering sustainable development in the State.
Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Town Union Matters, Mr Henry Nwasike frowned at Local Government Chairmen and Councilors who make themselves inaccessible to their constituents.
Acknowledging the frustrations such disposition could be, Nwasike urged the ALGAF fellows not to relent in the face of discouragements.
“Government is about service. How can a leader positively impact his people by rendering himself inaccessible and incommunicado. Yet, the same expect to be reelected,” he added.
State Chairman, JONAPWD Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke appreciated the organization for always carrying his members along in their programmes.
He however pleaded with the ALGAF fellows to always wear disability inclusion lens so they could appreciate plights of PWDs especially when carrying out their programmes to ensure inclusion and accessibility.
“We’ve benefited a lot from your organization. We see practical inclusion in virtually all your programmes, giving us room for active participation and effective service delivery,” he added.
Earlier, Programme Manager, Onyekachi Ololo described ALGAF as a governance innovation initiative designed to strengthen local government accountability, citizen participation, and service delivery outcomes in Anambra State.
According to him, ALGAF is designed to address systemic gaps in Local Government system including weak citizen engagement systems, limited transparency in decision-making, gaps in accountability structures and disconnect between community needs and government priorities.
“ALGAF operates through a multi-layered governance strengthening model namely capacity Building, training fellows and civic local actors on governance, accountability, and advocacy, citizen engagement platforms, focus group discussions & key informant interview.
“Others are feedback mechanisms/ community interface via surveys, community evidence systems, data collection on service delivery gaps, real-time feedback loops, policy dialogue & advocacy, engagement with Local Government leadership and high-level stakeholder dialogues,” he added.