The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Akwa Ibom State chapter, says local government autonomy is already producing visible results across the state, with councils recording progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and empowerment programmes.
The Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area and ALGON leader in the state, Uwemedimo Udo, stated this on Monday after an inspection tour of projects executed by local government councils across several communities.
The tour was conducted by the Grassroot Accountability and Empowerment Programmes in Nigeria (GAEPN), which visited Oron, Etim Ekpo, Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Ikot Ekpene, Uruan and Uyo LGAs to assess how autonomy is affecting grassroots development.
Udo said financial and administrative independence had improved service delivery at the local level, allowing councils to respond more directly to community needs.
“Local government autonomy has fostered grassroots development by granting councils financial and administrative independence to address unique community needs,” he said.
He added that autonomy had reduced bureaucratic delays and strengthened accountability in project execution across councils.
“It has ensured direct public accountability and empowered councils to execute projects in rural infrastructure, primary healthcare, education and local economic development,” he said.
According to him, various councils have embarked on road construction, electrification, water projects, school renovations, healthcare upgrades and youth empowerment schemes.
In Uyo LGA, he disclosed that about 10 communities have been electrified under the “Project Light Up Uyo” initiative, alongside the construction of a primary healthcare centre in Ikot Ebido Oku and the distribution of financial support to residents.
He said the council had also disbursed about ₦100 million in grants to entrepreneurs and over ₦11 million in bursaries for students.
The GAEPN delegation, led by Eze Okonkwo, commended the councils for what they described as visible and people-focused development projects.
Okonkwo said the tour showed evidence of improved use of local government resources and greater commitment to grassroots development.
“These projects reflect prudent utilisation of public funds and a clear focus on community needs,” he said.
He added that the initiatives align with the Akwa Ibom State Government’s ARISE Agenda and have helped improve living standards in rural areas.
The delegation urged council chairmen to sustain transparency and accountability in governance, while pledging to continue monitoring projects across other local government areas in the state.
