The umbrella body of all non governmental organisations in Gombe State under the aegis of ‘Association of NGOs’ (ANGO) has charged the newly elected and inaugurated local governments chairmen in Gombe State to prioritise people’s nominated projects while administering their councils.
Recall that local governments election held in the state last Saturday 27th April 2024 and the elected chairmen were sworn in on Monday by the state governor Inuwa Yahaya.
The association in its reaction to the election described local government as a crucial tier of government due to its closeness to people at the grassroot and advised that the administrators should always carryout projects that are chosen by the people base on their needs and aspirations, ‘not random projects that are not the priorities of the communities’.
ANGO in a press release issued by its state chairman Idris Lawanti also tasked the local government chairmen to strengthen citizens’ engagement and participation in local government budgeting processes and governance in order to make them more impactful to the citizens.
“We also call on the citizens to be deliberate in engaging the local councils as groups, as communities, and as active citizens to make governance work for them.
“We call on our teaming CSOs to continue to engage the newly elected councils working with citizens groups and community structures to facilitate effective service delivery through ensuring holding accountable for fiscal discipline, and sustainable citizens’ engagement and participation in local governance processes towards a better society.”, the association said.
The Association of NGOs however decried that the recent local governments election was marred by low voter turnout compared to the 2023 general elections urging the citizens at the grassroots to prioritise local government election by exercising their civic duty and participating in the elections.
