Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
Fellows of the Anambra Local Government Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF) have been charged to promote inclusion, transparency, and accountability in the state’s local government system to enhance good governance at the grassroots.
The charge was given by the Director of Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Benedict Okolo, during the ALGAF Monthly Leadership and Governance Workshop on Local Government Democratic Participation and Disability Rights Law, held recently in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
ALGAF is a governance fellowship project implemented in Anambra State by JDPC Nnewi with technical support from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), aimed at strengthening the local government system.
Declaring the workshop open, Fr. Okolo emphasized the importance of community participation in governance at the local level, stressing that citizens must not be alienated from government processes.
“Community members need to be involved in how their local government works. This is to ensure that citizens are not distant from government or governance, which rightly belongs to them,” he said.
Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, who presented a paper titled “Disability Law, Inclusion Principle and Its Application,” underscored the significance of implementing the Anambra State Disability Rights Law to ensure full inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in all areas of public life.
He noted that the landmark law prohibits all forms of discrimination against PWDs and criminalizes acts of abuse or neglect against them, prescribing penalties for offenders.
Okeke explained that the law guarantees equal rights and opportunities for PWDs, and when fully implemented, would greatly improve their quality of life.
“Since the law came into effect in Anambra State, there have been sustained sensitization and publicity efforts to acquaint different demographics with its provisions, purpose, and scope,” he said.
“Our aim is to deepen understanding of disability laws, inclusion principles, and practical ways of applying them in workplaces, communities, and institutions. Inclusion means ensuring everyone — regardless of disability, gender, age, or background — can participate fully and equally in society.”
In another presentation titled “Democratic Participation, Inclusive Governance, and Accountability in the Local Government System,” Comrade Nnamdi Nweke noted that local governments are designed to bring governance closer to the people.
“Their primary purpose is to ensure effective service delivery, promote community development, and deepen democracy at the grassroots,” he said.
Nweke outlined the various roles of local governments, including administrative, political, social, economic, and community development functions, as well as environmental management, revenue mobilization, financial management, and regulatory enforcement.
He, however, lamented that local governments have failed to fulfill their mandates due to undue interference from state governors.
“The agitation by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for local government autonomy remains one of the most protracted struggles in Nigeria’s democratic history,” Nweke added.
He called for policy reforms, including the enactment of laws to support democratic participation and enhance accountability in local governance.
In his remarks, ALGAF Team Lead, Mr. Onyekachi Ololo, explained that the fellowship is training 45 community leaders — including young women and persons with disabilities — to become experts in monitoring local budgets, promoting inclusion, and holding public officials accountable.
“The goal is to make local governments in Anambra more transparent and responsive, ensuring that public funds are prudently managed and communities receive the services they deserve,” Ololo said.
He added that participants are being equipped with practical skills in public policy processes, financial analysis, and digital governance to enable them to produce Local Government Accountability Reports.
Ololo further advocated for democratization of the local government budget process, stressing the need for active involvement of community stakeholders and civil society organizations (CSOs).
