Akwa Ibom State Government has made a case for increased revenue allocation from the Federal to the Local Governments if the grassroots must be built to record more tangible development.
Governor Udom Emmanuel made the advocacy at the Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo, yesterday when he addressed a two-day leadership retreat organised for the 368 councillors in the 31 Local Government Areas in the state.
Governor Emmanuel blamed the seeming neglect of the Local Government Administration on poor funding from the centre, noting that if the Local Government Areas were to access more funds from the federal government, greater attention would be channelled to rural community development.
Governor Emmanuel however charged the Councillors to be agents of peace and imbibe loyalty as an essential leadership virtue which can distinguish them in future.
The Governor said the essence of organizing the retreat for the 368 Ward Councillors in the State was to prepare them with the requisite leadership skills for an effective interface with the rural communities.
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The State’s Chief Executive thanked the facilitators of the retreat, Peculiar People Management, PPM for fielding experienced resource persons while also commending the orderliness of the Councillors throughout the duration of the retreat.
Earlier, in his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Frank Archibong thanked Governor Emmanuel for keeping to his promise with the Councillors and called on the 368 councillors who participated to make the retreat count by replicating the knowledge gained at the grassroots level.
With the theme: “Leadership for Service and Victory”, the workshop was organized by the state government through the ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and sought to inculcate in the local government lawmakers the necessary leadership principles which are the pillars of good governance.
