Local government councils in Ogun State have been tasked to ensure accountability and make transparency their watchword in order to enhance and strengthen good governance at the grassroots.
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello threw the challenge in Sagamu at a meeting with selected civil society groups and officials drawn from Odogbolu, Ikenne, Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu local government councils.
Abiola Costello stated that the eight MDGs were meant to address issues relating to poverty and hunger eradication, promoting gender equality and empowerment of women and reduce child mortality among others, pointing out that as the tier of government that is closest to the people, local government councils must be involved in initiatives to improve the living standard of their people.
According to the senior aide of the governor, the meeting which also had in attendance other relevant stakeholders including the Social Accountability Project of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) would provide capacity building to government agencies and civil society organizations by identifying the needs of different groups in the society and capturing these needs during budget formulation, analysis and review.
She noted that the coming together of these civil organisations and officials of LGAs would further enhance civic engagement in the State through community scorecards and provide a platform for engagement between citizens and government through public hearings and town hall meetings.
She therefore implored the Local Government Council officials and civil society organizations to cooperate and give necessary support to the initiative towards achieving the set objectives.
In her remarks, Consultant to KIND, Mrs Nneka Obiamalu called on the Local Government Council officials to work together with the civil society organizations within their areas and empower them to develop a scorecard on the needs of the people such as education, road, agriculture, health, security among others to determine level of engagement and involvement.