Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC Nnewi) ALGAF Project Team has paid a strategic advocacy visit to the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) at the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Arinze Egoh
This visit is part of the drive to strengthen transparency and accountability in local governance in Anambra State.
The delegation was led by the Director of JDPC Nnewi, Rev. Fr Ben Okolo, under the framework of the Anambra Local Governance Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF).
The visit was aimed at formally introducing the initiative to the State Assembly, showcasing its achievements so far, and seeking legislative collaboration to improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
The engagement is particularly significant given the constitutional and oversight responsibilities of the State House of Assembly in local government administration, especially in the implementation of the Anambra State Local Government Administration Law.
During the meeting, a member of the project team, Onyekachi Ololo, described ALGAF as a structured accountability and citizen-engagement programme focused on improving transparency, performance monitoring, and public participation in local governance.
Ololo explained that the initiative is driven by two core objectives: empowering citizens to demand accountability and better service delivery from local government councils, and promoting evidence-based reforms through continuous engagement with key government institutions, including the legislature.
Highlighting achievements recorded so far, Ololo noted that the project has carried out several advocacy visits and stakeholder engagements across the state. He added that the team has also trained local accountability fellows and mobilized community stakeholders to actively participate in governance processes.
According to him, town hall meetings have been organized across the senatorial zones to foster citizen participation and encourage responsiveness from local authorities.
“These engagements have helped identify critical governance gaps affecting service delivery at the grassroots,” he said.
The team emphasized that ALGAF is not just a sensitization programme but an action-oriented initiative designed to produce measurable improvements in governance outcomes through collaboration with relevant institutions. “We are here for legislative partnership,” Ololo stated.
“The State Assembly plays a crucial role in lawmaking, oversight, and enforcement of compliance within the local government system. Collaboration with the House Committee on Local Government and other relevant committees is essential for strengthening accountability mechanisms, reviewing existing laws, and ensuring effective implementation of policies guiding local councils.”
In his response, Mr. Arinze Egoh
welcomed the initiative and commended JDPC Nnewi for promoting good governance in the state, describing ALGAF as timely and relevant, especially in view of the growing demand for transparency and efficiency in grassroots administration.
He reiterated the critical role of the legislature in ensuring that local government structures operate effectively and in accordance with the law. “The legislature remains a key driver of reforms needed to improve service delivery at the community level,” he said.
Mr. Arinze also pledged support for the initiative, assuring the team that he would formally brief the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, Hon. Chris, on the objectives and activities of ALGAF. “I am confident that the House will provide the necessary support to ensure the success of this programme,” he added.
He further advised the ALGAF team to sustain its engagement with the Assembly and ensure that findings from its activities are properly documented and shared for possible legislative action.
The meeting recorded several positive outcomes, including increased awareness of the ALGAF initiative within the State Assembly and a commitment to connect the project team with the House Committee on Local Government.
It also created opportunities for future collaboration, particularly in monitoring compliance with the Local Government Administration Law and promoting reforms that enhance transparency and accountability.
As part of the next steps, the ALGAF team is expected to send a formal follow-up letter to the Director, develop a policy brief highlighting key grassroots governance challenges, and pursue further engagement with the House Committee Chairman.
There are also plans to explore a structured partnership framework with the Assembly and participate in broader public accountability dialogues focusing on budgeting, project execution, and service delivery.
Overall, the engagement represents a significant step toward strengthening institutional collaboration and advancing efforts to build a more transparent, accountable, and responsive local government system in Anambra State.
