Ikono local government area of Akwa Ibom State has signed an agreement with Policy Alert, a Civil Society Organisation, (CSO) to entrench transparency, inclusion and accessibility in its grassroot administration.
The executive chairman of Ikono LGA, Engr Otobong Essien made the commitment on Friday when members of Policy Alert led by Idorenyin Eyo, paid her a courtesy visit in her office ahead of the execution of a project tagged “Prioritizing Communities: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Administration,” implemented by Policy Alert with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).
The council boss described her administration as development friendly expressing readiness to partner with any organisation that would bring growth and value to her community, even as she noted that her administration is championing inclusion, accountability and accessibility.
In a communique she endorsed, Essien pledged to promote citizen engagement by ensuring quarterly public briefings to provide people with timely updates on budget performance, key projects, and service delivery outcomes in Ikono.
She added, “these briefings will serve as a platform for open dialogue, where citizens, civil society, and community stakeholders can better understand Council operations and offer constructive feedback to inform decision-making.
“The council is ready to partner with any organisation or grab any opportunity that will bring value to the people because the administration is development friendly. We also recognize the importance of open, inclusive, and accountable governance at the grassroots level.”
Earlier, the Project Lead, Idorenyin Eyo said the project would focus on training 90 youths drawn from 10 local government areas (LGAs) across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom adding that the exercise would improve public service delivery.
According to her, “at the heart of the project is a commitment to empowering citizens, especially youth, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups, to actively engage in governance processes and influence development decisions that affect their lives.
“The project will establish inclusive platforms for dialogue, including advocacy visits to critical stakeholders, community town hall meetings, and participatory budgeting forums, all designed to bridge the gap between citizens and local authorities, with special emphasis on gender-sensitive programming to ensure equitable participation and representation.”
