ABUJA/Nigeria: The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has concluded its oversight visits to all 25 local government councils in the state, with a strong call on council chairmen to conduct governance strictly in accordance with the law.
Chairman of the Committee and member representing Ukwuani Constituency, Hon. Chukwudi Dafe, made the declaration in an interview after the team’s final stop at Okpe Local Government Area, marking the end of an exercise that commenced on September 4. He said the visits were aimed at evaluating the level of performance, accountability, transparency, and project implementation by local government authorities across Delta State.
Hon. Dafe explained that the oversight duty was a key constitutional responsibility of the legislature, emphasizing that the committee would continue to ensure that councils remain productive and operate within the laws guiding local government administration. He said the committee would carefully review all documents and information gathered during the visits, noting that any council with discrepancies would be invited, alongside its Chairman, Head of Personnel Management, and Treasurer, to give further clarifications.
The lawmaker commended the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, for his support in approving the oversight exercise, and praised Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his consistent respect for the legislature’s independence.
Hon. Dafe, who was accompanied on the visits by Hon. Alfred Martins, Hon. Oboro Preyor, Hon. James Augoye, Hon. Augustine Uroye, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, and Hon. Emmanuel Sinebe, said the committee was particularly focused on ensuring that funds allocated to councils are utilized in line with executed projects.
He stressed that with increased revenue inflows from federal allocations, local government chairmen had no justification for poor performance or failure to fulfill their campaign promises. According to him, local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and must therefore deliver visible and sustainable development projects that have direct impact on their communities.
“The laws are clear on their responsibilities, and our duty as a committee is to ensure compliance and accountability,” Dafe said.
He also charged council chairmen to distribute development projects equitably across all communities to promote inclusiveness and political stability, urging them to strengthen communication and engagement with the people in order to deepen democracy and sustain public trust.
Hon. Dafe reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to carrying out its oversight responsibilities without bias, ensuring that resources allocated to councils are judiciously applied for the benefit of the grassroots.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, commended the lawmakers for their diligence in promoting transparency and accountability in governance. He disclosed that his administration had embarked on 29 projects, with 27 completed and two still ongoing, assuring that more development initiatives would be executed in the coming fiscal year.
