The Executive Director of Centre for Human Rights, Health, Ethnic Harmony and Livelihood Development (CHHELD), Mr. Dandyson Harry Dandyson was live on the Morning Crossfire radio program of Nigeria Info (92.3) PH on Monday, 6th February 2023. The topic of discuss was Analyzing the duty and performance of Local government councils in Rivers State. It sought to ascertain if the LGA council are effective and living up to their constitution responsibilities. Mr. Dandyson Harry Dandyson highlighted some functions and duties of the local government which were stated in the fourth schedule of the 1999 Constitution. Some of the functions include:
1. The consideration & making of recommendations to the state commission on economic planning.
2. Collection of rates, radio and TV licenses.
3. Establishment. & Maintenance of cemeteries, burial, homes for destitute.
4. Licensing of bicycles, trucks/canoes/wheel-barrow/carts.
5. Establishment, maintenance and regulation of slaughterhouses, slabs, markets, motor parks and public conveniences.
6. Construction/Maintenance of roads/streets lights/drains & other public highways/parks & garden/open spaces as may be prescribed from time to time by the State House of Assembly.
7. Naming of roads/street & numbering of houses.
8. Maintenance of public conveniences, sewage/refuse disposal.
9. Registration of births/deaths & marriages.
10. Assessment of privately own houses/tenement levy as may be prescribed by the State House of Assembly.
11. Control and regulation of out-door advertising.
12. Control of movement and keeping of pets.
13. Control and licensing of shops and kiosk.
14. Control and regulation of restaurants, bakeries & places of sale of foods to the public.
15. Registration of laundries, licensing and controlling of the sale of liquor.
16. Provision and Maintenance of primary, adult, & vocational education.
17. Development of agriculture/natural resources, other than exploitation of minerals.
18. Provision and Maintenance of health services, and
19. Other duties assigned by the State House of Assembly
He mentioned that State governments take up some of the duties and the local government is left with the responsibility of paying workers salary because of little allocation sent to the local government. It was pointed out that some LGA councils have little allocation to carry out earmarked projects and other developmental programs in the LGA. Also, when allocations are given to some LGAs, they embark on projects such as construction of townhalls in communities, which could be not contribute economically in the LGA. Mr. Dandyson pointed out that some LGAs do not carry out developmental projects based on the needs of various communities and distribute allocated funds with some political godfathers and other groups. He pointed out the need for the local government election to be free, fair and transparent with the use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) being introduced by the INEC, this way local government elections will be more competitive and citizens can vote candidates of their choice.
In order for developmental projects to have impact in various communities, it is important that LGA and the people of the communities have a NEEDs Assessment to know the vulnerabilities and immediate needs of the community. Projects should not be done randomly or be decided by a political leader in the community without seeking the suggestions and contributions of community members. Mr. Dandyson pointed out some communities have repetitive projects carried out by the LGA and other development actors. The LGA should take the responsibility of ensuring that there is synergy between communities and other development actors, this way, efforts and resources will not be dissipated on repetitive projects or projects that do not meet the needs of the people. He also stated that some local government chairmen are oblivious of their duties, do not take initiative, some wait and take instructions from the state governor, and some LGA chairmen are very loyal to some political godfathers and settle them with allocated LGA funds.
The radio program gave callers the opportunity to share their thoughts and contributions. They called in to express their displeasure at how some local government administration carry out their duties in Rivers State, as local government chairmen perform poorly even after receiving allocations from the state government. They called for LGA council to be accountable on how they manage resources of the local government.