By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
following the forth coming Governorship election in Imo State, a nongovernmental organization; Alliance for Africa, which promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance through the support of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and MacArthur Foundation, organized a Media Briefing to acquit the 10th State House of Assembly, and the incoming State Government of the evolving needs and priority of Imolites, which they tagged, 'Citizen's Charter of Demand.
The briefing which took place on Tuesday at Rockview Hotel, opposite Government House, Owerri, the state capital, had media Practitioners from both print and broadcast media, including other NGOs, present to participate in the meeting.
From the brief report presented by one of the facilitators of the organization, Adaeze Ekpunobi, on the Imo State Citizens' Charter of Demand which was said to have been ascertained through an 'extensive online survey' carried out by AFA across the 27 Local Government Area of the state, where they had atleast one sample respondent from each of the LGA, and got 263 responses, it was discovered that, "91.5% of the citizens, utmostly demands for improved security, 83.6% longs for employment opportunities, while 67.7% yearns for food and agriculture.
"38.1% demands for economic empowerment, 28.6% priotizes on improved health system, 28% clamours for quality education, 20.1% demands for steady power supply, 14.8% demands for standard roads infrastructure, and 3.2% yearns for addressing of climate change issues.'Ekpunobi revealed'.
The Executive Director of AFA, Owerri, Imo State, Ms. Iheoma Obibi who also reiterated the above findings in a release, therefore noted that in light of the above findings, that Alliance for Africa has issued the following demands to the 10th Assembly, and the incoming Government to prioritize on improved security and safety of lives and properties, create employment opportunities.
"Ensure that there is food security, and increased agricultural productivity, improve the quality of education, improve the health system, ensure social inclusion by fostering a sense of belonging and equal opportunities for all citizens."
These demands which Obibi said reflects the need of Imolites for good governance, accountability, transperancy, and social inclusion, she averred is the duty of the incoming Government, and the 10th Assembly to prioritize on them as a genuine commitment to the well-being and progress of the people.
Furthermore, from the report presented to the media practitioners, it was also envisaged that from the total sample size of 263, (53.5%) of the respondents affirmed that they would participate in the forthcoming election, 44.3% declined not to participate in the elections, while 2.2% of the total respondents were not sure if they would participate.
Most citizens who declined to participate in the election were of the opinion that: "elections no longer reflect the opinion of the people, it must be rigged judging from past experiences, and that voting does not count again."
Giving the welcome address earlier, Ekpunobi stated, "As Citizens' engagement and participation in governance is crucial for sustaining the development of any society. Recognizing this, Alliances for Africa (AfA), through the support of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Mac Arthur Foundation, is implementing a project with the aim of fostering political reforms, social inclusion, gender equity, anti-corruption, transparency, accountability, strengthening policies, and programs by addressing corruption in Imo state in preparations for the 2023 general elections, 'Ekpunobi averred'.
One of the approaches AFA has chosen toward realizing the project goal is the Citizens Charter of Demand (CCD-Imo State), which will aid and empower citizens to articulate their desired dividends of a true democratic process.
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