By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu
In a landmark event, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) spearheaded a constructive dialogue session at the Sahara Hotel Conference Hall, bringing together key stakeholders from the local government sector. This event, led by the Decentralization Secretariat (DEC-SEC), marks a significant step toward addressing longstanding challenges that have hindered effective service delivery in Local Councils.
The dialogue, organized under the direction of Alex Bonapha ESQ, the Director of the Decentralization Secretariat, aimed to foster productive discussions on critical issues, including improving communication between political leaders and administrative staff, adhering to procurement and anti-corruption regulations, and enhancing local service delivery. Participants, including Mayors, Chairpersons, Paramount Chiefs, Chief Administrators of the 22 Local Councils, District Officers, representatives from various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Non-State Actors, were encouraged to actively engage in the dialogue to drive positive change in the local government sector.
During the event, Minister of MLGCA, Amb. Tamba Laminia, emphasized the importance of this gathering, noting that it represents the first comprehensive in-house engagement with all local government sectors since the inauguration of elected political heads of Local Councils. He stressed that this dialogue session is a pivotal component of implementing the 2022 Local Government Act, aiming to ensure enhanced service delivery at the local level.
Minister Laminia also highlighted the broader goals of the dialogue, which include strengthening local governance, promoting democratic accountability, fostering female representation in Councils, and encouraging inclusive participation at all levels of local governance. He reiterated the need for all stakeholders to align with President Bio’s vision of the Big 5 manifesto commitment and emphasized the critical role of Local Councils and Chiefdom Councils in achieving this vision.
Addressing the issue of revenue mobilization, Minister Laminia emphasized its significance for the effective functioning of Local Councils. He encouraged local governments to make their presence felt in their communities, ultimately increasing revenue collection. He urged Local Councils to take a more proactive approach to generate revenue instead of solely relying on government allocations.
The dialogue was presided over by Prof. Emmanuel Gaima, the Adviser to the President on Local Government, with support from John Brima, the Capacity Building Manager of the Decentralization Secretariat. The event witnessed robust participation from attendees across various aspects of local governance.
This gathering marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of improved local governance and service delivery, as stakeholders collaboratively chart a new path forward for Bo City and beyond.
