The Eze-elect of Nsirimo, HRH Dr Charles Chukwuemeka Amanze, has called for the amendment of the Abia State Local Government Law to make room for dual representation of communities.
He said that the current delineation of wards in Abia State does not give room for full representation of the component autonomous communities in the local government administration.
To correct what he regards as an anomaly, the Eze-elect urged the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti to liaise with the Abia State House of Assembly to amend the Local Administration Law to make it possible for the communities to have additional platform for representation.
Dr Amanze made the call in a statement he personally signed, made available to the media in Umuahia, saying that he is convinced that dual representation would make local government autonomy more beneficial.
According to him, the amendment should provide for Community Representation whereby each autonomous community in a local government has a Representative in the LG administration, separate from the Councillor in the legislative council.
He argued that in the legislative council, communities are lumped together to produce a Councillor but with Community Representation, each autonomous community would have its own representative.
“This dual representation ensures more effective governance and community engagement,” he said.
The Nsirimo-born businessman, further explained that the number of Councillors that make up the Legislative Council makes no room for total inclusiveness and effective representation of every component in the third tier of government.
He said that the celebration of the full autonomy granted to the local governments by the Federal Government would not be complete without every autonomous community having its own representative in the administration of the LGs.
Amanze reminded the Governor Otti, members of the state legislature, political parties, and all stakeholders, that despite the local government autonomy now in place, “our journey is far from over” until inclusive representation is achieved.
He said: “We need a voice in the Local Government Council for each autonomous community to ensure that our communities are carried along in the scheme of things.
“I therefore urge our government to take necessary steps to provide for the representation of autonomous communities, like ours, in the local government administration”.
Describing equitable representation of communities as “a crucial matter” that should be looked into by government, Amanze said that “this will replace the existing rotational system of Councillors”.
In the rotation principle, each community in a ward takes turn to produce the councillor that represents the entire communities within a ward.
But Amanze stated that having a representative for each community in addition to the councillor that represents several communuties in a given ward would guarantee “a strong dedicated voice” for each community.
He said the Community Representative would serve as a vital link between the local government and each community.
The Cultural Ambassador said that the amendment should set out clear guidelines for election or selection of such a Community representative.
He made it clear that the Community Representative is not meant to replace the Councillor who occupies the legislative arm of the Councils, but rather play complementary roles.
Amanze outlined the primary functions of the Community Representative to include advocating for community needs and interests, and providing feedbacks on Council and Community decisions, among others.
He stated that having a Councillor representing many autonomous communities was no longer fashionable in the 21st as the Councillor would not have full knowledge of each community’s specific needs.
Not only that the Councillor has the tendency to prioritize party interests over community concerns and would not be accessible or accountable to the community, unlike the Community Representative.
According to him, the Community Representatives would ensure community participation in the local government’s decision-making process and easily facilitate collaboration between community groups and the local government.
While acknowledging that Community Representation might appear complex or resource-gulping, Amanze insisted that it “presents an opportunity to further democratize our governance and ensure inclusive representation at the grassroots.”