The Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) has stated that the only way the local governments can develop is to ensure that transparency and accountability are restored to the council.
Speaking when the Mobilization/Communication Officer of CCIDESOR, Chigozie Uzosike visited the Anambra State and Local Government Reform (ANSLOGOR), Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Awka South LG and other stakeholders on an advocacy visit on Promoting Local Government Democracy, Transparency and Accountability, he noted that the advocacy was with support from National Endowment for Democracy (NED). He described the provision of basic amenities at the grassroots as an effective strategy to address rural-urban migration.
Uzosike said that transparency and accountability were essential in managing public funds. He said that effective management of local government finances would help to tackle the dearth of basic amenities in rural communities. He urged the state governments to resist the issue of local government autonomy as it benefits and buys them political capital.
In his contribution, the CCIDESOR Partner in Awka who is the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State, Comrade Francis Ekponne said that there should be transparent, accountable and participatory/citizens inclusion in the local government governance. The local government should be allowed to manage their resources according to their prioritized needs. The communities’ input should be captured in the local government budgets and projects and that the project should be built based on the community-ownership structure.
In his comment, the Project Coordinator of ANSLOGOR, Mr. Orji Kingsley hinted that there is need for partnership with CCIDESOR, especially that what it is doing is similar with what CCIDESOR is doing which is making sure that there is transparency and accountability in the public finance management. He commended CCIDESOR for its efforts and said there is need for experience sharing to deliver on the project. He extolled the government of Anambra state for the enabling environment created for development to thrive.
