A civil society group, Yiaga Africa in collaboration with Open Society Foundations have established an Enugu North Local Government Peoples Assembly, a platform to amplify the voices of the people at the local level in local governance.
Addressing participants at the training workshop, the Program Officer, Yiaga Africa, Olaniyan Sanusi, explained the essence of the Peoples Assembly. He said that the Assembly will allow people to convene under a non partisan platform to deliberate on issues affecting their communities, debate on the issues and agree on priority issues to engage the local government officials just as he urged Nigerians not give up on democracy, despite it’s inadequacies.
No fewer than 5 persons were selected to lead the team of sound minds to kick start the first Peoples Assembly in Enugu North Local Government Area of Enugu state to improve grassroots governance in Enugu.
Meanwhile, a senior program officer, Yiaga Africa, Antonia Onda in legitimizing the Peoples Assembly, explained that officials of the local government can participate in the People’s Assembly meetings to provide leadership and ensure proper major local priority issues are addressed. She insisted that regardless of its challenges, democracy remains the best form of government for Nigeria.
She itemized the processes for hosting an effective People’s Assembly at the Local Government level to include:
Planning and preparation, participants mobilization, facilitation and moderation amongst others as part of Yiaga Africa’s efforts to entrench the culture of deliberative democracy in Nigeria.
She added that the essence of the forum was to have effective interactions, deliberations and debate on the needs of the people at the grassroot level.
She said the People’s Assembly is expected to kick start activities at the Enugu North Local Government regardless of all the challenges.
“What we are trying to promote here is a culture of public deliberation whereby citizens can contribute and influence the decision-making process at the local council level.
“So, these Assemblies, which are being established across the country, will serve as platforms for citizens and elected local government representatives to engage in fair and reasonable discussions and debates, all aimed at securing the public good and instilling confidence in the democratic process.”
The event saw participants from various civil society groups, community development organizations, religious groups, among others.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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