…says the goal is to promote local government accountability within the system.
Nnewi, Nigeria — The iNews Times reports that Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Nnewi zone has trained its fellows under the Anambra Local Government Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF) on structured project monitoring to strengthen local government accountability across the various local government areas of Anambra State.
The ALGAF is an eight-month programme which JDPC is implementing with support from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, funded by the United Kingdom and targeted at promoting local government accountability at the grassroots.
Under the initiative, 15 persons were selected as fellows from each senatorial zone, cutting across persons with disabilities, the elderly, members of children’s parliament and students.
They have undergone training across various subject areas including budget processes, communication skills, the local government system and engagement strategies aimed at deepening local government accountability.
Speaking during the ALGAF Monthly Leadership and Governance Workshop (MLGW), Director of the JDPC Nnewi zone, Rev. Fr. Benedict Okolo explained that with the training given to the fellows, the goal is to promote local government accountability within the system.
He said, “If we can get half of the local governments to begin to work as we planned, then we must have achieved something and from there, we will begin to build.
“We would have also created a consciousness in the leaders that the citizens’ eyes are on them.”
Okolo revealed that JDPC has concluded plans to hold a public dialogue on local government administration in the state, where findings from fellows’ field engagements will be presented before government to engender reforms that will improve grassroots governance and local government accountability.
“During this dialogue, the citizens, the fellows and the government will come to an interface, and most of the findings of these engagements with local government leaders will be laid bare,” he said.
A facilitator during the programme, Mr. Onyekachi Ololo, observed that the objective of the project is to entrench a system where the local government in Anambra is inclusive, functional and driven by local government accountability.
According to him, JDPC believes that when fellows are equipped, they will engage as leaders of various groups and pass information to their communities to demand accountability and responsive governance.
He also said the project holds great prospects for the forthcoming Anambra Local Government elections, as the knowledge garnered will equip fellows to carry out their responsibilities without fear or favour while promoting local government accountability.
“It is our hope that the upcoming local government elections will see the people begin to ask the right questions on leadership,” he said.
A resource person, Hon. Isika Christian, who spoke on citizens’ monitoring roles, emphasised the need for a structured, lawful and informed monitoring process to achieve effective local government accountability, adding that objectivity and professionalism must be maintained.
“It is the right of citizens to know how local government funds are being utilised and as an ALGAF fellow, it is your duty to monitor projects executed with public funds to ensure they meet the needs of the people,” he said.
Another resource person, Nuela Umeh urged fellows to rely on verified information when engaging public officials, warning that misinformation could weaken efforts toward strengthening local government accountability.
In separate remarks, Rev. Emmanuel Okoroafor and Hajiya Kadidjat Olahan, representing the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Muslim community respectively, assured that religious leaders would continue to support initiatives that promote accountability and responsible governance at the grassroots.
They commended JDPC’s intervention, noting that programmes focused on local government accountability remain critical to improving governance outcomes.
