Councillors in Delta state have been charged to take their legislative roles seriously and work collaboratively with the executive arm of government to foster good governance at the grassroots level.
The call was made on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of a two-day seminar organised by the Directorate of Local Government Affairs in collaboration with Wisebest Logistics for councillors from the Delta North Senatorial District, held at the Orchid Hotel, Asaba.
In his address, the State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Prince Kalanama Penawou, emphasized that the seminar with theme: “Achieving Effective Legislative Function within the Local Government System: The Role of Councillors,” was a critical initiative aimed at equipping councillors with the knowledge and tools necessary to perform their duties effectively.
He stated that councillors play a vital role in bridging the gap between government and the people, shaping local policies, and enacting bylaws that govern the operations of local councils.
According to the Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Local Government Affairs, Paul Oyeye, “A call to serve is a golden opportunity that must not be taken for granted. You must prove to your people that they made the right choice in electing you. The lessons from this seminar should be translated into practice as you support the M.O.R.E. Agenda of this administration.”
Also speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Special Projects, Barrister Funyei Manager, who is the special guest of honour, described the seminar and its theme as very timely and encouraged the participants to put the knowledge to good use.
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In his remarks, Chairman of the seminar, Mr. O. Ofili, described the event as a reflection of the importance the state government places on effective local government administration. Ofili noted that while councillors at the grassroots level have often lagged behind their counterparts at the state and federal levels, they are constitutionally empowered to carry out critical functions.
These functions, he said, include enacting bye-laws, passing local government budgets, conducting oversight of executive actions, addressing public complaints, and defending the democratic rights of the people.
Ofili urged councillors to collaborate with the executive arm rather than adopt a confrontational stance. “A decisive and self-confident legislative arm working in synergy with the executive does not in any way lose its independence. The goal must always be the delivery of good governance,” he added.
He warned that shirking legislative responsibilities due to challenges would be a betrayal of public trust and detrimental to the political aspirations of elected officials.
Some of the participants who spoke to journalists expressed satisfaction with the initiative, pointing out that the knowledge gained has improved their capacity as legislators and would help them discharge their responsibilities effectively.
