By Barth Ozah
When he took the mantle of leadership on 8th March, 2021 as the executive chairman, Ndokwa West LGA, Chief Goddey Obi-Nzete, was very clear and focused about his vision to make the council a model.
He minced no words when he promised a complete overhaul in the running of the council. He made a firm resolve to run an administration where accountability will take a centre stage and guide the execution of government programmes and policies.
Six months down the line, history has beckoned on him and he has broken the jinx, as the administration begins the perimeter fencing of the council secretariat, neglected by successive administrations.
Recall that the LGA, started as an integral part of the defunct Aboh division which was then divided into two administrative units, Ukwuani district council with headquarters in Amai and Ndosumili district council, with headquarters at Ashaka.
However, what remained as Aboh division after the Nationwide boundary adjustments of 1976 was later christened ‘Ndokwa Local Government Area. The word ‘Ndokwa’ is an acronym derived from the amalgamation of the former administrative districts of Ndosumili and Ukwuani. It came into effect with the local government Edict of 1977.
In September, 1991, following the creation of Delta State by General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida’s military regime, the Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East LGAs were created with the headquarters in Kwale and Aboh respectively.
Since creation till date, the council headquarters has remained a shadow of itself, but brighter days are here at last, thanks to the emergence of Chief Obi-Nzete, whose commitment and determination to reposition the council, has rekindled the hopes of the people who are now willing to give him the necessary support.
Today, the council headquarters is wearing a new look. Besides the fencing of the secretariat, most of the dilapidated structures in the council, including the legislative building and works department, have equally been renovated.
One of his key strategies was institutionalizing accountability In governance.
Governing the third teir structure of administration in Nigeria, according to experts, is not only complex but also tasking and since this tier of government is structured and designed to cater for the development of the rural areas, there are bound to be lots of bureaucracies and interests due to its nature.
Therefore, achieving set goals, requires a chairman who is focused, diligent and above all, motivated and imbued with a strong spirit to rise above primordial sentiments.
On assumption of office, chief Obi-Nzete had made a firm promise to raise the bar and set the local government on the path of progress and development. That has remained his focus.
However, achieving this daunting task requires that accountability should take center stage, a principle that Chief Nzete has held tenaciously.
Today, the council has taken a new shape. There is fresh spirit of service, commitment towards institutionalizing accountability.
Holding it to heart, the chairman has made it possible that government policies and programmes are well executed, according to laid down procedures.
The chairman’s transparency
and openness in governance have given room for effectiveness amongst the workforce who are now eager to put in their best to actualize the set goals of the administration.
As part of Nzete’s commitment to institutionalizing accountability in his administration, the chairman made it possible for all political leadership and heads of various departments of the council to attend a workshop on, “Strict compliance with assets declaration and code of conduct for public officials,” organised by the Code of Conduct Bureau in Asaba recently.
The chairman’s philosophy is that accountability to the citizens is a fundamental principle of democratic governance which is not limited to accountability to seniors in hierarchy only, as part of the chain of command, but also the stakeholders including citizens and civil society.
He believes that governance must work for the people at whose instance it was created. He believes in due diligence where shared responsibility and effectiveness reigns.
Nzete takes his inspiration from the words of a Psychologist, Alexander Haslam, who said, “Effective leadership is the capacity to mobilize a mass constituency to bring about shared goals.”
Indeed, history beckons in Ndokwa West LGA as Hon. Obi-Nzete delivers good governance and quality leadership to the people.
Hon. Barth, is the councillor representing ward 7 in Ndokwa West LGA.