Commissioner Wants Books On LG Administration;

The Rivers State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. Charles Okaye, has called on the people of the State to emulate the brilliant performance of Mr. Okoro C. Okara who has authored three booked on local government administration and community development.

The Commissioner made the call while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at a book launch titled, ‘Fundamentals of Community Development’ written by the Director Local Government, Mr. Okoro C. Okara.

Hon. Okaye who was represented by Comrade Fubara Barapakaye noted that the book ‘Fundamentals of Community Development’ is encouraging saying that the author could be engaged as a consultant after his retirement from service in view of his erudition on local government administration and community development. He used the occasion to encourage Okara urging him to continue with his good work.

Earlier in his address, Mr. Okoro C. Okara; said he was inspired to write the book as his contribution in the development of individuals, groups and communities.

Mr. Okara also noted that there are different levels of communities that include nation, state, local government, urban rural settlements, (social, religious, economic and political groups, adding that the book has provided approaches, strategies and assertions that would help individuals, groups and communities to develop.

He was particularly grateful to the former commissioner of  Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs Dr. Tammy Danagogo who on seeing his first book, ‘Essentials on Local Government Administration in Nigeria’ recommended him for oversea training in 2008 and 2009.

His mentor Mr. B.S. Irimagha, retired Director Local Government seeing his performance in community development course at University of Benin, encouraged him to write the book.

In the book, Mr. Okara faulted the oil and gas companies in the Niger Delta region on their practice of community development. He observed that some oil and gas companies give money to communities for projects without working with the people, hence the poor quality jobs and under development in the Niger Delta.

The author has therefore shown the road map in the book for oil and gas companies to apply for the development of the area if they meant well for the people.

He prescribed that multinational companies on oil and gas should work with the people on project selection, execution and final completion and that giving money to communities without physical participation of the companies is wasteful and discouraging.