The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District and a frontline Governorship Aspirant for the 2021 Anambra Governorship election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Uche Ekwunife has restated her commitment to ensure Local Government Autonomy and reduction in the cost of governance, if elected as the next Governor of Anambra State.
Ekwunife made this known on Saturday, October 17, 2020 during a meeting with some stakeholders, Local Government and Ward Executives of the Peoples Democratic Party at Azigbo in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Speaking at the meeting held at the home of a prominent PDP Stakeholder in Nnewi South LGA, Chief Chukwuma Okoye, Senator Ekwunife described the Local Government as an important tier of government which has remained ineffective in most States of the Federation due to lack of administrative and financial autonomy.
The Senator stated that she has been a firm believer in the capacity of the local government system to impact meaningfully on the lives of the people at the grassroots if they are allowed to operate fully as a tier of government.
In her words, “I have remained consistent in my call for the administrative and financial autonomy of Local Governments in Nigeria. This is because, it is my belief that the usurping of the powers of the local government by State governments has hindered effective distribution of wealth and resources in States. The essence of governance is to provide the people access to basic infrastructure and utilities, as well as guarantee a participatory democracy where opportunities are created for all facets of the society to make meaningful contributions to decision-making, therefore, empowering the local government system will greatly improve the quality of governance available to the people”.
Continuing, Senator Ekwunife stated that she will conduct local government election within 8-months of her emergence as Governor and reduce the cost of governance if elected to govern the State. According to her, only a system that guarantees the people the opportunity to choose their leaders in all tiers of government will ensure the emergence of individuals who are genuinely concerned about the welfare of the people into public office. “I want to see a local government that is a city under a mega city. This is achievable if we create a process that empowers this important tier of government to choose their leaders and run their affairs autonomously”, She added.
Ekwunife further stated that another major focus of her government will be the improvement of revenue generation. According to her, “We shall improve the efficiency of our revenue generation process by blocking leakages, curbing wastages and making use of technology to organize our revenue streams”.
“An improved revenue will assist the State government in meeting the developmental needs of the people of the State”, She added.
Concluding, Senator Ekwunife assured her hosts of her commitment to run a government that will guarantee engagement of all the people in government processes, taking into account gender and other facets of personal, social and religious identity.
Kingsley Ubani
SA Media to Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom)