Strengthening local govts will deepen grassroot development - Iteire ~ Truth Reporters

Isoko North Council Chairman, Hon. Christian Iteire, on Friday, called for the strengthening of local governments in order to address the nation's myriad of problems and ensure overall development at the grassroot.

Iteire made the call when he received at the Council Secretariat in Ozoro, the monitoring team of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, led by team Leader, Dr. Muyiwa Babatunde who were in the State for assessment of the performances of Local Government Councils.

He stated that, among the three tiers of administration in Nigeria, the local government remains the most deprived in terms of financial and administrative liberty in bringing governance to the people at the grassroots.

According to him, it will do the nation good if the local government was strengthened.

"This is so because, the local government are closer to the people at the grassroot, they know the pains, the fears and aspirations of the people more".

"The strengthening of the Local Government means the strengthening of the faith of the people in governance," he said. 

He revealed that, despite paucity of funds, his administration has been able to address staff related issues in the Local Government Area by improving the welfare packages of staff particularly, payments of claims, trainings, and ensuring enabling working environment for workers to carry out their duties comfortably. 

He cited projects recently embarked upon by his administration to include, the construction of three blocks of classrooms at Ogewho-Iyede, the building of a modern abattoir at Ozoro, and, soon, the commencement of construction of  lock-up shops at Oyede. 

"Of utmost priorities are the issues of insecurity and regular environmental sanitation of which this administration is utterly committed in ensuring a safer, cleaner and healthier local government area for the people to live peacefully and thrive prosperously".

The Isoko North Local Government Council boss while reiterating the intention of his administration to meeting the needs of the political class, staff and the communities and the people said, "efforts are on by this administration in getting some oil firms including the National Petroleum Development Company in renovating some Primary Healthcare facilities".

"Our administration's efforts in improving the health sector culminated in our nomination for an award to be conferred on us at the 20th Nigerian Local Government Chairmen Merit Award at Abuja" 

On Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, Hon Iteire also revealed efforts by his administration in improving it as he has been actively involved in series of meetings with firms and service providers operating in the local government area.

He said his administration had set-up committees tasked with responsibilities of generating more revenues to enable the local government council embark on more projects and economic programmes that would address the yearnings and aspirations of the people at the grassroot.

In his remark, the leader of the delegation, Dr Babatunde said the purpose of their visit and the nationwide tour of local government areas of the federation was to know what local government councils were doing in terms of carrying out their statutory duties and responsibilities to the people.

He listed efforts by the Ministry in ensuring local government areas in the country were strengthened as the third tier of Government.

Present during the visit were the Secretary to the Local Government Council, Hon David  Igbuduma, the Head of Personnel Management, Mr Henry Obukeowho, the Supervisor for Works, Hon Ikrumale Jones Oghogho, the Head of Works Department, Engr. Odalonu Benson, the Special Adviser to the Chairman, Hon Imogu Joseph, and the representative of the Treasurer to the Local Government Council.