By Marshal Abia
According to Local Government Reform of 1976, the best Government that is nearer to the grassroot people is still and will remain Local Government.
Though the name sounds so local but then it is not local in administration because its modus operandi is Western in nature just like the other tiers of Government; Federal Government and State Government. It is so unfortunate our local governments have been reduced to nothingness by seemingly the State Government in the guise of its superiority.
The people of the rural areas through Local Government feel the impact of the government in their domain having seen and know what constitutional functions a local government can possibly deliver within its shortest tenure.
Before now, a local authority was empowered to; build markets, build health centres, provide pipe borne water, grade roads, promote communal living and bring Government nearer to the people with the aim of providing more life enhancing basic and social amenities as the case maybe.
A walk to our local government nowadays is so annoying, nauseating and demoralising. The Local Council Secretariats are so filthy and unkempt, wild grasses everywhere and completely abandoned in a shadow of absolute negligence.
Some have even become moribund. How can a local government staff carry out his or her duty diligently in such a den of mosquitoes infested areas? No way!
What about each tractor that was given to each local government by the previous administration? Nowhere to be found as they have developed wings and flown away into thin air. Should I say they have broken down due to poor funding for effective and regular maintenance?
First quarter of 2017 is gradually winding down and there is no rumour or better still a headline news to authenticate, validate or announce the conduct of Local Government Election. Akwa Ibom people are tired of this serial selection Transition Committee with no impact.
Let it be known to the Governor that his continuous extension of the tenure of this unprofitable Transition Committee has jeopardized rotation/zoning principle which was satisfactorily sustaining peaceful coexistence in virtually all the Local Government Areas.
As it is, some local government areas will be in serious rotation crises based on the supposedly avoidable mutilation of zoning calendar to contend with.
The perpetual formation of Transition Committee for Local Government administration is gradually losing its credence.
It's time Akwa Ibom State Government through the leadership of His Excellency Deacon Udom Gabriel Emmanuel conducted election for the benefits of those in the rural communities to feel the presence of a legitimate Government that can deliver and consolidate on their purposeful needs accordingly.
These crops of present Transition Committee Chairmen have been so impoverished they can't even buy a 'rope' to tie on their waist in place of belts. This is ludicrous.
Members of the Transition Committee are even worse for they are being exposed to villagers who keep requesting for financial assistance thinking they could help as it ought to be.
Our Transition Committee Chairmen and members are collectively tired of telling the people "no money" all the time they are called upon to show working. For how long will they continue to borrow and pretend all is well when they are going through pains to pay back?
For how long shall we continue to live in penury? Whoever that is advising the Governor not to conduct local government election is fantastically and downright wrong to a fault. Recently, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed 2017 Appropriation Bill into law.
Every right thinking Akwa Ibom person expects our award winner Leadership Governor to sign it into law and begin the process of conducting election even though it is not free, fair and credible. Akwa Ibom people are tired of this serial Transition Committee in the local government.
What is worth doing.... is worth doing well.
Return power to grassroots and let the people feel the very essence of good governance.
I speak for the local people of Akwa Ibom State
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