Hon. Michael Okonji, Leader of the Oshimili South Legislative Arm and Secretary of the Delta State Councillors Forum, has praised the effective implementation of local government autonomy in Delta State. He made this known on Tuesday during the Delta Councillors Forum Symposium held in Asaba.
The symposium provided a platform for councillors, chairmen, and stakeholders to discuss how to strengthen grassroots governance and ensure sustainable development in the state.
Hon. Okonji said that local government autonomy is not new to Delta State, stressing that the state government has consistently allowed councils to control their federal allocations without interference.
“The autonomy is working well in Delta State. Since the Supreme Court judgment, Delta has already been practicing it. The state government has not touched a dime from federal allocations sent to the local governments. In fact, before financial autonomy, the state was even augmenting for councils. Everything is working well, and the impacts are showing in every nook and cranny of Delta State,” he explained.
Speaking on how chairmen can further support councillors, Hon. Okonji urged them to extend more constituency projects to councillors, who are closer to the grassroots.
“On constituency projects, the chairmen have been doing well, but they need to do more at the grassroots. We, as councillors, are closer to the people, and if constituency projects are given to us in our wards, we can deliver more benefits directly to the people. I feel they should improve on this aspect,” he advised.
The Oshimili South leader stressed that councillors are critical to deepening democracy at the grassroots, and empowering them with resources for local projects would further strengthen development across Delta State.
