CHHELD AND THE ADVOCATES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY (ALAT) TEAM FROM SAMA AND IDO COMMUNITIES IN ASALGA, RIVERS STATE PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO THE ASALGA CHAIRMAN AND STAFF ON THE 13TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2022.

The Executive Director, staff and members of the Advocates for Local Government Accountability and Transparency (ALAT) team paid a courtesy visit to the Asari-toru LGA Chairman, Hon. Onengiyeofori George to formally introduce the project (Improving citizens participation in Local Government administration in Rivers State), ALAT team and their roles in the communities. Also to inform the chairman of a NEEDS Assessment activity to be carried out in sama and ido community in Asari-Toru Local Government. The goal of the NEEDS Assessment was to unearth the vulnerabilities of the community which cuts across and affects individuals from different stratas in the communities; the chiefs, men, women, male youths, female youths and People Living with Disabilities (PWD). The Participatory Vulnerability Analysis (PVA) and Participatory Research and Action (PRA) tools to be used seek to proffer solutions to the various vulnerabilities. It also includes the organization (foreign and local), government agency and community partnership that can intervene in bringing about the much desired solution to the various challenges presented.

In his presentation, the Executive Director of CHHELD, Dandyson Harry Dandyson appreciated the chairman for granting audience to the delegation. He also shared the overall goals and objectives of the project and activities done so far in the project such as the Town hall meeting in Sama and Ido communities where each community choose eight (8) persons to be trained as Advocates of Local Government Accountability and Transparency (ALAT) that will serve the community in interfacing with the local and state government, and other relevant agencies to bring about development in their communities.

Chairman of Asari- Toru Local Government Hon. Onengiyeofori George posited that every government means well for the people, however, funds for the implementation and execution of already existing projects is a challenge of every government, however, the council is willing and open to partnering with NGOs and International bodies such as the European Union and British Council in bringing development projects that will improve the life and livelihood of the people in the Local government area also pledged to support CHHELD and the ALAT teams by granting them audience whenever he’s been called upon.