Alhaji Kaniru Turaki, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, has stressed the need for local government areas to create avenues for public participation in governance at the grass-roots.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Turaki made the call at a forum of key functionaries of local government areas organised by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Monday in Abuja.
He said such avenues would enable local people to participate in and also benefit from governance and development services.
He said it had therefore become imperative for councils to improve on their organisational structures and operations to attract new talents, expertise and communication technologies.
“Indeed, the disposition of forward–thinking local councils is to foster effective community-driven initiatives and collaboration to exploit talents and generate improved outcomes.’’
According to him, forward-thinking councils around the world are creating powerful ways for their residents to participate, contribute and to have genuine conversations on issues that matter to them.
“The consistently exploitation of ideas and energy of local residents would help to generate better outcomes than ever before thereby enhancing effective development,” he said.
He said elected representatives would also benefit from understanding the current paradigm shift in how people communicate with their peers thereby enhancing rapport and fruitful exchange of ideas.
“Indeed, the current trend in communication has enhanced intra and inter-community collaboration while engendering rapid economic and social development at the grass-roots,’’ he said.
Earlier, Mr Daouda Toure, Resident Representative of UNDP, said the forum was organised to, among others, provide a platform for rekindling interests and strengthening relations amongst the three tiers of government.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to take advantage of every opportunity that would address the development challenges that will lift the grass-roots from endemic poverty and deprivation.
He said it was for the above and other associated reasons that the UNDP 8th Country Programme was providing support to Nigeria.
The support is aimed at facilitating a seamless connection between national and state policies for development at the grass-roots, he added. (NAN)
