A Civil Society Organisation (CSO) in Akwa Ibom State, Policy Alert, has called for strengthened citizen engagement in governance at the local level.
The organisation noted that increased participation would improve service delivery and deepen accountability.
Idorenyin Eyo of Policy Alert made this known during a one-day town hall meeting on governance and citizen engagement, organised in partnership with Okobo Local Government and supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), held in Okobo.
Eyo expressed concern over the limited platforms available for youths and women in Okobo Local Government Area to engage with government officials, noting that this gap prompted Policy Alert to organise the town hall meeting to bridge it.
She said:
“Strengthening participatory governance at the local level remains critical to improving service delivery and deepening accountability. In many communities within Okobo Local Government Area, citizens—particularly youth and women—have limited access to structured platforms for engagement with public officials.
“This gap often leads to weak feedback mechanisms, reduced transparency, and low trust in governance processes. To address this challenge, Policy Alert partnered with Okobo Local Government Council to convene a one-day town hall meeting aimed at institutionalising citizen engagement and promoting inclusive service delivery.
“The engagement aligns with broader objectives of enhancing transparency, accountability, and grassroots participation in local governance.”
At the meeting, the Executive Chairman of Okobo Local Government, Hon. George, represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Mrs Veronica Clement, called for open and honest discussions. She emphasised the importance of collaboration between the local government and citizens in promoting transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery.
She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to sustaining inclusive governance practices through regular town hall meetings to strengthen collaboration with citizens and enhance service delivery.
Participants at the meeting highlighted several concerns, including the need to complete the Primary Healthcare Centre to improve access to quality healthcare services, as well as the establishment of financial institutions within the local government area.
They also raised concerns about the absence of an ICT centre in the community, noting that school leavers currently travel to the state capital to register for Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations, creating financial and logistical burdens for families.
Additionally, participants pointed out the shortage of teachers at Community Secondary School, Okobo. According to them, the school currently has only six teachers serving approximately 800 students, negatively affecting the quality of education.
Responding, the Supervisor for Information, Mr Isaac Okon, acknowledged the concerns regarding teacher shortages and clarified that local governments do not have the constitutional mandate to recruit teachers directly. He added that the matter would be forwarded to the state government for necessary action.
On ICT development, Okon assured participants that the proposed 3,000-seat capacity facility would be completed before the end of the year. He noted that the centre is expected to provide young people with hands-on digital skills to participate effectively in the digital economy.
The high point of the event was the unveiling of a handbook titled “Improving Service Delivery in Local Government Administration: A Handbook for Communities and CSOs.”
