Delta Deputy Speaker Counsels LGA Exco, Legislative Arm on Synergy to Encourage Grassroots Development
KWALE/Nigeria: The Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor has counselled elected officers at the Third Tier of government to work together to achieve the desired grassroots developments the Local Government administration was created to achieve.
The Deputy Speaker gave the admonition in an address at the opening of the 2 Day Capacity Building Workshop organised for the Newly Elected Council Chairmen, their Vice Chairmen, and 60 Councellors from the Three Local Governments Areas of Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, by the member representing the Area in the National Assembly, Hon Ossai Nicolas Ossai, held at Benvo Hotel Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government.
In a paper, titled: “Local Government And Legislative Governance In The 21st Century: Capacity Building Process To Achieving Balance In Grassroots Development”, the law maker stated that continuous training of elected officers of the Executive and Legislative Arms of the Local Government, will make them to understand and work towards the rapid development of the communities within the area.
According to him, “We have to understand how a good Local Government can be achieved through continuous capacity Building Processes for the elected and staff at the third tier of Government of Nigeria.”
Making reference to the 1976 Local Government Act Establishing the Local Government Administration, the Fourth Schedule, Section 2, of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Delta State Local Government Edict of 2013, he reminded the trainees that the operation of the third tier of government, is an act of the law, and it derives its operation from the constitution.
“Local Government is an institution created by the constitution, to provide public services according to local situations through the involvement of the people, and to ensure maximum efficiency in the administrations and provisions of such public services to guarantee Grassroots Development.” He stated.
He stated the institution of Local Government is established to achieve the triple objective of ensuring political participation, efficient service delivery, and resources (both human and material) mobilization with the overall goal of achieving improved standard and living conditions of the people at the grassroots.
He therefore reminded them that to achieve the set objectives, the Executive and Legislative Arms most work in synergy at any given time to provide unhindered political participation, efficient services delivery, and mobilization of both human and material resources to give the people a sense of belonging as expected in today’s Local Government Administration.
Congratulating the participants for the opportunity, he stated that they should put the knowledge they will gain from the workshop to use, as it will help them to articulate their contributions towards their immediate environment.
While enumerating the various areas of collaboration, and individual duties of both arms of government he advised that there should be continuous Capacity Building Workshops for both the elected members and staff of the Local Government Areas, as such will always help to build confidence amongst all participants in Local Government Administration.
On the programme, the Deputy Speaker, appreciated the Organiser, Hon (Dr. Evang.) Ossai Nicolas Ossai for the Capacity Building Network, stating that it’s first of its kind in the area, for Newly Elected Council Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors.
Those in attendance at the opening programme were Hon Ossai N. Ossai, Dr. Samuel Ossai, the Commissioner Representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani at the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chairman Ndokwa West, Chief Obi Nzete, Mr. Juan Guvnor, Chairman Ndokwa West Local Government Area, the Vice Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government Area, Mrs. Veronica Egbune.
