By Akpokona Omafuaire As chairmen of Delta State’s 25 local government councils mark two years in office, banners, congratulatory messages and official statements celebrating the milestone have begun to appear across the state. Yet beyond the ceremonies and accolades, many residents are asking a more fundamental question: what has changed in their communities since the current administrations assumed office? Read Also: Fake agency originated from Buhari government — Budget Office explains PFIPC allocation When the council chairmen were inaugurated two years ago, expectations were high. Their campaign promises centred on improving grassroots governance through better roads, quality primary healthcare, enhanced education, youth empowerment, rural development and increased transparency in the management of public resources. Halfway through their tenure, their records are now open to public scrutiny. Across the state, council authorities point to completed and ongoing projects as evidence of progress. Road rehabilitation, market upgrades, drainage construction, water schemes, health centre renovations and empowerment programmes feature prominently in reports released by several local government councils. In several communities, residents acknowledge improvements in infrastructure and public services. Others, however, insist that many campaign promises remain unfulfilled, with concerns ranging from poor road networks and inadequate healthcare facilities to youth unemployment and slow project execution. Community leaders and civil society organisations say the anniversary presents an opportunity not only for celebration but also for accountability. Political analysts note that local governments remain the closest tier of government to the people and are expected to respond swiftly to local needs. They argue that effective grassroots governance should be measured by improved service delivery, prudent financial management and regular engagement with citizens. As the chairmen begin the second half of their tenure, residents are looking beyond speeches and commemorative events. They are focusing instead on projects completed, promises fulfilled and the overall impact of governance on their lives. According to a senior lawyer, Justice Otorudo, “The second anniversary of the present Local Government Chairmen across Delta State presents an important opportunity for an objective assessment of their stewardship. Beyond the ceremonies and congratulatory messages, the occasion calls for sincere reflection on whether local governance has truly translated into meaningful development at the grassroots. “There is no denying that a number of Chairmen have executed projects and initiated programmes within their respective local government areas. However, the overall impact of these interventions has not been sufficiently visible or transformative to justify widespread public satisfaction. “In many communities, residents continue to grapple with poor rural roads, inadequate healthcare facilities, declining sanitation, youth unemployment, and limited economic opportunities. These realities naturally raise questions about whether the enormous potential of the local government system is being fully utilised. “A recurring concern is the apparent disconnect between local government administrations and the communities they serve. Greater transparency in the management of public resources, regular engagement with community stakeholders, prompt execution of budgeted projects, and improved accountability would strengthen public confidence in local governance. Citizens are increasingly demanding value for public expenditure, and rightly so”, he added. On his part, Comrade Ozobo Austin, National President Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI said, “It is unfortunate to note that local government chairmen in Delta State are not accountable to the people they claim to serve. After two years in office, they have performed poorly. There’s no period in the history of this country where local governments received more funding from the federal government than we have now. “Almost every local government received over a billion naira per month, from statutory allocation, subsidy funds, excess crude and IGR, yet our local government areas remain underdeveloped. The big question is, what are they doing with the funds. “In the current dispensation, local governments could propose a yearly budget of over 15 billion naira. This never happened in the previous administrations. Despite the huge funds, lives of the ordinary people in our communities are worse compared to previous administrations. “The local government chairmen in Delta State have failed to prioritize accountability, public trust, integrity and prudent management of the public funds. They failed to carry the people along in the affairs of the councils. “Despite the hug
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