House of Representatives member Hon. Obuzor Victor Chukwuemele has called on local government chairmen in Nigeria to actively pursue international funding to boost development.
Speaking at a two-day capacity building workshop organized by Five Twenty One Limited, Chukwuemele emphasized the potential benefits of accessing these funds.
Chukwuemele urged local leaders to leverage available international funds to address critical issues such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“These funds are available but must be accessed for genuine purposes,” he stated.
He highlighted the importance of tapping into corporate social responsibility initiatives from multinational companies, which are obligated to contribute a portion of their earnings to societal development.
Chukwuemele reiterated the need for local governments to go beyond their usual government allocations.
“Funds from agencies like USAID, JICA, DFID, and ActionAid are available and should be utilized for development projects,” he said, noting that there are up to eighty thousand donor agencies worldwide ready to support genuine initiatives.
Dr. Umar Bako, the project consultant and convener, emphasized the crucial role local governments play as the third tier of government.
“Local governments should not be seen as a conduit pipe but as active agents of development through the utilization of foreign donations and grants,” he remarked in his opening speech.
Dr. Bako also expressed disappointment at the low turnout of local government representatives at the workshop, describing it as a setback.
He urged the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to mobilize its members for future workshops, emphasizing the importance of participation in such capacity-building events.
By actively engaging in these opportunities, local governments in Nigeria can significantly enhance development and improve the quality of life for their constituents.
