‘Why LG Autonomy Is Not Feasible’

Chairman of Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. John Anucha, says absolute local government autonomy is impossible to achieve.

He made his views public in a chat with newsmen yesterday in Port Harcourt, pointing out that there are a lot of emcumbrances in the system to make such demand a mirage.

“ The autonomy is ok, but because of the system and situation in other states, it is impossible to achieve,’’ he remarked.

Anucha argued that the inequity in the states allocations coupled with the challenges in governance would stifle  total autonomy. He however submitted that if these emcumbrances were removed and, “ if the local councils are given a chance, they would prove themselves’’.

He said, “ the people will determine the future of the chairmen who fail to perform.’’

He used the medium to debunk reports that the area was still facing insecurity problems, “ Omuma Local Government is now a safe haven for investors,’’ Anucha said.

Hon. Anucha who thanked Governor Amaechi for assisting the council in tackling the menace of kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the area emphasised that in the past two years, no kidnap had been recorded in the border local government area.

According to the council boss, “ between 2009 to 2010 Omuma was the flashpoint of kidnap activities, but today I can confidently tell you that it is the safest place you can do business’’.

He explained that the problem of insecurity was as a result of the numerous exit points into the area, adding that it has borders with Imo and Abia States.

The Omuma council boss observed that the area was endowed with huge agricultural resources due to the agrarian activities of the people.

In order to make the area conducive for business activities, he disclosed that he had connected about 38 villages to the national grid and was currently building a hotel to boost tourism.