The Chairman, Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung, has disclosed plans to ensure the institutionalisation of quarterly town hall meetings across all local government areas in the state.
He said the initiative would provide council chairmen with the opportunity to present their scorecards and engage directly with residents in order to better understand and address community needs.
Rt. Hon. Idung made the commitment when members of a civil society organisation, Policy Alert, under the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund Project (NYFFP), paid a courtesy visit to his office. He emphasized the importance of open, inclusive, and accountable governance at the grassroots level.
According to the commitment he endorsed, the lawmaker stated
“In our shared commitment to strengthen public trust and foster a closer connection between the people and their Local Government Councils, I will move a motion for the institutionalisation of quarterly town hall meetings at the local government level in the House of Assembly.
“The councils shall convene quarterly public budget forums to provide citizens with timely updates on budget performance, key projects, and service delivery outcomes.
“These briefings will serve as platforms for open dialogue, where citizens, civil society organisations, and community stakeholders can better understand council operations and offer constructive feedback to inform decision-making.”
Earlier, the Team Lead of Policy Alert, Idorenyin Eyo, said the visit was part of a project titled “Prioritizing Communities: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Administration,” implemented by Policy Alert with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund.
Eyo noted that quarterly briefings at the grassroots level are not only a legal requirement but also a democratic tool that strengthens trust, ensures accountability, and guarantees that public spending reflects community priorities.
She further pledged the organisation’s readiness to provide technical support and facilitation for the budget forums to ensure they are participatory, inclusive, and effective.
Lovina Emole
