By James Nwakpa
As part of efforts to bridge the gap between the leaders and the masses in participatory governance at all levels of government, the United States Agency International Development, USAID has on Wednesday organized a town hall meeting in Abakaliki Local Government Council, to explore collaborative ways of achieving accountability and people's oriented projects in the society.
Speaking on the need for citizenship roles in governance, the Executive Director, Development and Integrity Goal, DIG Foundation, Mr Ajah Oliver, noted that this year's annual forum was aimed at bringing both the masses and those at the corridors of political power together to discuss issues of public interest and as well incorporate same in subsequent appropriation bills and budget implementations.
The Executive Director who reiterated the need for a community charter of demands in a democratic setting, also noted that the activities of DIG and other minds organizations in Ebonyi State have helped the stakeholders and community members to know their rights and to always communicate their needs to the government.
In their parts, the USAID Citizens Engagement and Capacity Building State 2 State Project Specialist, Dr Ibiam Azu, and the Monitoring Evaluation and Logistics Officer DIG, Mr Chimezie Umeh said that projects are more valued and utilized if initiated by the people concerned, other than been imposed on them by those at the helm of affairs in the government, and stressed the need for civic engagement in the decision-making process.
Others who made their contributions to that effect, including the Project Director, DIG State 2 State Implementation Projects, USAID, Dr Emmanuel Abah and the Senior Programme Manager for DIG, Mr Anaele Okoro, called on the government to end the existing dichotomy between the leaders and the led, by upholding the principle of bottom-top approach while initiating programmes and policies meant for the people through the citizen's engagement as development partners in a democratic society.
They encouraged the masses especially the civil society organizations and the opinion leaders in various communities to always hold the government accountable to the people and to be more proactive in making their needs and expectations known to the government and as well pursue them vigorously until those demands are met, instead of sitting by the corners to complain of bad leadership in the society.
Some of the communities that were present at the town hall meeting, including Enyigba and Izzi Unuhu communities through their traditional rulers, presented their charter of demands to the Council Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, who was ably represented by his Vice, Hon. Mrs Chinyere Nkwuda, under the close watch of other principal officers of the Council.
In their remarks, the Vice Chairman of the L.G.A, Hon. Mrs Chinyere Nkwuda who represented the Executive Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Nwangele, the Leader of Abakaliki Legislative Council, Hon. Ruben Ede and the HOD of Education, Mrs Ragina Nwogo, all in their adorned voices, thanked the organizers of the annual forum and promised to make use of all that was discussed in the meeting for the good of the society.
