Abia Councillors demand from govt good working tools, environment

Elected councillors in Abia have pleaded with the state government on the need to provide them with the necessary tools and environment to work and discharge their duties effectively.

This plea came last Friday during a one-day seminar organised by the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs in collaboration with Famyk Resources and with the theme, “Effective Representation” for the first batch of six local government area councillors from Umuahia North, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, Ugwunnagbo, Obingwa and Isialangwa North.

In a communiqué raised after the seminar, ”The councillors saw the need for the state government to provide necessary tools, good working environment and to pay the allowances and other entitlements as and when due to the elected councillors to enhance their productivity and good governance in the society”.

The seminar, the councillors resolved “has put us on a good pedestal that will help us serve our people better and assist us in our oversight functions.

“It has helped us to interact, interface and meet with our colleagues from sister local government areas of Abia state, which ultimately will help in building bridges of love, cordiality and relationships amongst us”.

The councillors expressed their view that subsequent seminars should include “our Executive Chairmen, their deputies and other members of the executive council to enhance productivity, probity and accountability for the local government” and called for prompt and regular conduct or organization of such seminars, workshops and symposium for all elected councillors in the state.

They expressed their gratitude to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for “providing the platform for us to serve our people in our capacity as well as the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs ably led by Rt. Hon. Christopher Enweremadu for organizing such a wonderful and impactful seminar that will enhance our duties as Councillors from our various wards”.

Earlier in his speech, the chairman of the occasion, who is also a resource person, Victor Azumara urged participants to “act well in order to represent their people very well and to stamp their feet on the sands of time of politics.

While surging the councillors to continue to update their education, Azumara noted that Abia councillors are doing well in their legislative functions and later lectured the participants on “The Relationship Between LG Councillors and career officers in the Abia State Government System”.

Other lectures were “Functions of the Legislative Council in the Abia state LG System” by Kenneth Ekwueme and “The Legislative Oversight Functions of the LG Councillors – Hitches and the way forward” by Chief Barr. Sidney Ifeanyichukwu Onyemere.