The Eze – elect of Nsirimo Amaise Autonomous Community in Umuahia South local government area, His Royal High Prince Ugochinyerenwa, Dr Charles Chukwuemeka Amanze, has appealed to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and the House of Assembly to amend the state’s local government law to provide effective representation of autonomous communities in local government administration.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Umuahia, Dr Amanze, noted that the proposed amendment would enable the state to reap maximum benefits from the autonomy granted to local governments in the country.
According to him, the amendment should provide for a representative for each autonomous community in their Local Council to promote effective representation and governance.
“To ensure equitable representation and effective governance, we propose that each autonomous community within the local government area have its own dedicated representative in the Local Council administration. This will replace the existing rotational system of Councillors,” he observed.
He further insisted that adopting individual autonomous community representation would ensure that every community has “a strong, dedicated voice,” which would serve as a vital link between the local government and the community.
Dr Amanze stated that clear guidelines should be established for election/selection of such a representative, pointing out that a situation whereby many autonomous communities share one Councillor appears obsolete in the 21st Century and would not promote rapid grassroots development .
The Eze – elect suggested that the Community Representative should not replace the Councillor who occupies the legislative arm of the local Councils, but rather play complementary roles.
The statement reads in part: “As we celebrate our New found autonomy of the Local Government system granted by the Nigerian Federal Government, I wish to bring to the attention of our esteemed state government, a crucial matter.
“The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, (OFR), and the esteemed members of the State Legislature, political parties and all stakeholders, we have been granted local government autonomy, but our journey is far from over.
“We need a voice in the Local Government Council for each autonomous community to ensure that our communities are carried along in the scheme of things.
“I therefore urge our government to take necessary steps to provide for the representation of autonomous communities, like ours, in the local government administration.”
Dr Amanze enumerated the primary functions of the Community Representative to include advocating community interests and needs, providing feedbacks on council and community decisions, among others.
Reasons he adduced why a Councillor representing many autonomous communities was no longer fashionable include lack of full knowledge of each community’s specific needs, prioritizing party interests over community concerns and not being accessible or accountable to the community, a task the Community Representative would accomplish with ease.
For him, the Community Representatives would ensure community participation in the local government’s decision-making process and easily facilitate collaboration between community groups and the local government.
“This dual representation ensures more effective governance and community engagement,” he said.
He further stressed that no matter how challenging, complex or resource-gulping the Community Representation might be, it is a milestone which “presents an opportunity to further democratize our governance and ensure inclusive representation at the grassroots.”
