Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has restated its commitment for effective governance at the local government level.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon Chukwudi Dafe, stated this at Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri South-West, and Obiaruku, Ukwani Local Government Areas, during the committee’s ongoing oversight assignment to the 25 local government councils across the state.
Accompanied by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon Fred Martins and members, Hon Oboro Preyor, Emmanuel Sinebe, James Aguoye, Ferguson Onwo, Austin Uroye and Isaac Anwuzia, the Lawmaker said the present crop of Chairmen has no excuse not to perform and deliver on their electioneering promises.
According to Hon Dafe who represents Ukwuani Constituency in the House and a former Council Boss, local governments across the country have never had it so good in terms of federal revenue allocation since the inception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
The Lawmaker emphasized that revenues accruing to the councils must be properly accounted for through tangible projects and people-oriented programmes to reflect the true essence of governance at the grassroots.
He disclosed that the Committee had so far visited 24 out of the 25 local government councils in the state, noting that the exercise is aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the local administration.
Hon Dafe urged the Chairmen to operate strictly within the provisions of the Local Government Laws enacted by the Delta State House of Assembly, stressing that compliance to appropriation law, fiscal responsibility, and public procurement laws are essential to good governance.
He underscored the importance of prudent financial management in executing projects and programmes that would positively impact on the lives of the people.
On human empowerment, Dafe advised the Councils to emulate the State Government by enacting bye-laws to establish agencies that would drive empowerment schemes at the local level.
He charged the Chairmen to provide adequate security for lives and property, appealing for total peace between Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri South-West, as well as Umuabu and Amami communities in Ukwani local government area.
The Committee Chairman called on them to embrace love and unity as they are essential ingredients for sustainable development in the localities, the state and the nation at large.
In his remarks, Chairman of Warri South-West Local Government, Hon Sylvester Oromoni, described the oversight visit as a welcome development and highlighted some of the gains made by his administration since the inception of office.
Oromoni stressed the urgent need for improved security around the council headquarters due to the lingering inter-communal crisis with Aladja, noting that the council was constructing a police station and residential quarters for security personnels as part of measures to addressing the situation.
Other ongoing projects highlighted by the Council Boss, include, the near completed staff canteen and a completed jetty aimed at boosting water transportation and economic activities for residents in the area.
On his part, Chairman of Ukwani Local Government Council, Hon. Possible Ajede, commended the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, for supporting the committee in its oversight function, noting that the exercise is novel and impactful.
Ajede said the visits would help guide councils to stay focused on their core mandates, adding that his administration had completed several key projects since inception.
He listed some of the projects to include the Local Education Authority Complex, an ICT Centre and Library, as well as a 800 meter length road project in Obiaruku town, geared towards enhancing the socio-economic development of the area.
This phase of oversight tour of the Councils by the State Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, is expected to end on Thursday this week with visit to Okpe local government.