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?

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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 huge allocation, there’s no empowerment, no employment opportunities or job creation, no investment driven programmes and no developmental initiatives and projects. Even the few things that the local government chairmen may claim to have done for the period of two years can’t be equated to four months’ allocations”.

Also, Francis Avbenagha, a legal practitioner said, “Any assessment must begin with the Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy. Delta State, under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, became the first state to fully comply, releasing all outstanding arrears and monthly allocations directly to councils. 

“More troubling are allegations of non-performance despite massive allocations. In Ukwuani LGA, a councillor publicly questioned how the council receives up to ?500 million monthly yet has “nothing to show”. Warri North has faced accusations of neglecting the Egbema Kingdom in project execution. Communities in Oshimili North have protested over abandoned road projects. 

“However, there are few council chairmen who have done well. Isoko South Chairman Warri Ovoke Friday has delivered road rehabilitation, market construction, solar power installations, and educational interventions. Udu Chairman Vincent Oyibode has executed office complexes, security infrastructure, and flood control projects. Ughelli North Chairman Jaro Egbo has performed in some sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and security.

“Notwithstanding these gains, more work needs to be done. For instance, while Chairman Oyibode of Udu LGA has recorded achievements in some areas, the daily challenge for residents within the community is the poor state of local roads. The roads in Udu are in a very terrible condition, making movement a constant ordeal for motorists and pedestrians alike. 

“Even if comprehensive reconstruction is not immediately possible, the council chairman must take urgent steps to ensure these roads are at least accessible. We understand that major road construction is primarily the duty of the state government, but the locals suffer from these bad roads daily, and the council has a responsibility to alleviate this immediate suffering through palliative measures.

“Those who have embraced financial autonomy with prudence have delivered visible dividends. Others have squandered the opportunity, leaving their councils with little to show beyond rhetoric. The case of Udu LGA is a stark reminder that while some progress has been made, the most basic needs of the people, like accessible roads, remain unaddressed, and the gap between rhetoric and reality must be closed.

“The Delta State Local Government Law and the oversight powers of the House of Assembly provide mechanisms for sanction. Chairmen who fail to deliver can be removed for gross misconduct or non-performance. Two years is sufficient to separate the performers from the pretenders. The people are watching, and the law is watching with them.” Avbenagha noted. 

Adding his voice, Oghenejabor Ikimi, a human rights lawyer said, “Local Government Area Chairmen across Delta State celebrated two years in office recently. The question is what were they celebrating? 

“Of course it was all a waste of public funds as there was nothing at all to celebrate in the first place.

“The election that brought the incumbent Chairmen to power was a sham and a big minus for the people at the grass-root. The Chairmen were bound to fail because they were answerable only to the State Governor and not to the people of the grass-root they pretend to represent. 

“There is really nothing to write home about the present Local Government Chairmen in the State in terms of achievement.

“Economic Empowerment and Opportunity which is another form of dividend of democracy at the grass-root is totally absent due to over taxation. As a result of double taxation private enterprises are no longer flourishing.

“The Rule of Law and Justice is also absent at the grassroots as the Chairmen are not accountable to the people but the Governor who put them in power.

“Public infrastructure is totally absent at the grass-root. Social services at the grass-root such as subsidized public education and healthcare systems, which could make essential services more affordable and attainable for the masses are also absent at the grassroots.

“Grassroots Democracy if not already dead, is presently surviving on oxygen. God save Nigeria.” Ikimi added. 

As the Chairmen begin the second half of their tenure, the expectation of the people is simple: less emphasis on public relations and ceremonial activities, and greater focus on measurable, sustainable, and people-centred development. Ultimately, the enduring legacy of every administration will be determined not by the celebrations marking years in office, but by the positive and lasting difference made in the lives of the people.

For many Deltans, the second anniversary is more than a political milestone. It is a moment to assess whether grassroots governance has delivered tangible development or whether expectations remain largely unmet.

With another year left in office, the verdict on the current crop of local government chairmen is still being written. The months ahead may ultimately determine whether their administrations will be remembered for lasting achievements or missed opportunities.