Senator Hails Rivers Assembly

The Senator representing Rivers South East, Senator Magnus
Abe, has described the Stae house of Assembly as a major partner in the third
tier level that would stimulate good governance.

Senator Abe made the observation Thursday in a paper he
presented at a 3-day Workshop for key administrators of local government
council Business in Accordance with the law”.

The national lawmaker noted that since the constitution
empowered the State Assembly to make laws for the councils and perform
oversight functions, they should synergise for the betterment of the society.

Senator Abe, who is the Senate Committee Chairman on
Petroleum Down Stream Sector, identified common goal of collaboration between
key stakeholders in local government administration, stressing that mutual
respect and obedience to the law would strengthen good governance.

Abe, who spoke on “Legislative – Executive collaboration:
recipe for good Governance”, said good governance involves participation,
transparence, accountability, equitability, etc, emphasisised that local
government administration needs to define objectives and share it with partners
to achieve desired result.

He opined that communication among stakeholders is necessary
to avoid speculation, while learning about the role of each partner in relation
to their functions would prevent personalizing issues and reduce rumour.

Also speaking, a one time lawmaker and former council
chairman, Hon Paul Awoyesuku, lauded the State Assembly for harmonizing the
local government law under the new law No. 2, 2012, that gives clear roles for
functionaries.

According to him, the local government law has undergone
seven amendments between 1999 and 2012, noting that certain clauses found in
the current effort would require another amendment but should be tested first.

Hon. Awoyesuku, who spoke on the topic, “The Rivers State
Local Government Law No. 2, 2012: Facts and Issues” , argued that “no matter
how good a law is, it will not make the change in itself but the
implementation”.

He, therefore, advised the councils to utilize the
provisions of the present law, which he said, has clearly defined the role of
supervisory councilors and that of Directors, as well as procedures for
impeachment of any officer.

The workshop was attended by council Chairmen, Vice
Chairmen, Councillors, Supervisory Councillors, Directors, Special Assistant
and other top functionaries of local government administration.