The Cross River State Government (CRSG), through the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, in partnership with the Center for Community Policy and Strategic Development (CCPSD), on Tuesday, commenced a three-day capacity-building and utilization training for local government councillors, clerks, and legislative officers across the state.
The workshop, themed “Building Institutions to Deliver Service and Facilitate Sustainable Development in the Local Government Systems,” held at Landmark Hotel, Ogoja, for participants from the Northern Senatorial District.
Declaring the event open, the Deputy Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Ph.D, represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Agabi, emphasized the crucial role of local government legislators in strengthening democracy and governance. He noted that enhancing their capacity would lead to improved decision-making and service delivery in their respective communities and Local Government Areas.
“Having served for eight years in the State House of Assembly, I understand firsthand the critical role that well-informed lawmakers play in shaping policies that impact the well-being and development of our communities. This workshop will equip councillors and legislative officers with the necessary skills and expertise to carry out their responsibilities effectively,” the deputy governor stated.
He commended CCPSD and the Ministry of Local Government Affairs for initiating the training program, highlighting that it aligns with the ‘People First’ leadership vision of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, which prioritizes strengthening local governance and fostering sustainable development.
Odey urged participants to leverage the knowledge gained during the training to enhance their legislative functions, improve their ability to draft, debate, and implement laws, and contribute to the socioeconomic advancement of their constituents. He also called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively in building resilient institutions capable of delivering quality services and driving sustainable development in Cross River State.
The Chairman of CCPSD, Rt. Hon. John Gaul, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering communities through research-driven policy solutions, strategic development initiatives, and capacity-building programs aimed at improving governance and quality of life for citizens. He emphasized that the workshop was timely, considering ongoing discussions on local government autonomy in Nigeria, and stressed the importance of equipping legislative officials with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively.
In further support of the training initiative, goodwill messages were delivered by Hon. Cyril Omini, member representing Yakurr 1 State Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Prof. Jake Otu Enyia, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Political to the Governor, as well as former House of Assembly members for Yala II and Bekwarra, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata and Hon. Idagu Agaji. They commended the state government and CCPSD for organizing such a vital training program and urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to enhance their legislative contributions to local government development.
The workshop featured insightful presentations from facilitators and governance experts, who provided practical knowledge on effective legislative procedures, public accountability, legislative career development, local government administration in Nigeria, and stakeholder engagement.
Deputy Governor’s Press Unit, Government House, Calabar
