Business
Good Governance: Amaechi Urges Training For LG Bosses
The Rivers State Government has called on the European Union to assist in the training of local government Chairmen and other strategic officers on good governance to enable the people at the grassroots get maximum value from local government administration.
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi made the call Saturday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the European Union (EU) and the Rivers State Government at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor, who frowned at the performance of local government council chairmen in the state, said the state government was prepared to partner with the EU in the training of key officers on transparency so that the people at the grass roots could entrust the management of their resources and believe in the programmes of government.
“Very few of them are doing well”, the governor stressed, while restating the need to train the local government chief executives to appreciate the difference between public and private funds.
“We will be equally glad if you can train these people according to best practices in local governance”, he said, noting that governance at the grassroots level at the moment was like a place where loyalists gather to share the national cake.
Governor Amaechi, who signed the agreement on behalf of the state government, expressed delight at the interest of the European Union to partner in the development of the state, adding that he was hopeful that the synergy between both parties would provide succour for the people, especially in terms of development.
In his speech at the event, the representative of the European Union (EU), Mr Ramon Reigada said the Memorandum of Understanding would among other things encourage reforms and community participation in the Niger Delta states and urged the local and state governments to provide more service delivery in terms of basic infrastructures.
Mr Reigada, who is the Head of Rural, Social, Health, Water and Sanitation Unit of the EU in Nigeria, said the size of the micro-projects would be increased compared to the previous MPPs, noting that about 130 micro-projects will be financed in each state under the new scheme.
Earlier, the Minister of National Planning, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman said the EU interest in the development of the Niger Delta was aimed at creating visibility in the area, promote gender equality, accountability in local government areas and awareness creation on gender and human rights.
The Minister, who was represented by Mr Abiodun Taiwo also expressed optimism that the partnership between the National Planning Commission, the EU and the Rivers State Government will be of great benefit to the people.