The South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO), in collaboration with the Enugu State Local Government, has convened the Inception Policy Dialogue on Local Government Accountability in Enugu State, marking the first step toward developing the Enugu State Local Government Accountability Framework and Policy.
This Dialogue officially launched the process under SSDO’s Local Government Accountability Index (LAI) Project, supported through a sub-grant from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, implemented by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Building a Framework Citizens Can Trust
The session brought together government representatives, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and development partners to explore how local governance can better serve citizens through transparency, fiscal responsibility, and inclusive decision-making in line with the 2024 Supreme Court ruling on local government fiscal autonomy.
During the Dialogue, SSDO presented the vision of the Local Government Accountability Framework and Policy, introduced the Local Government Accountability Index (LAI) as a tool to objectively measure LGA performance, and engaged stakeholders in shaping the framework’s key priorities.
By the end of the session, participants reached consensus on priority reforms and inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) to guide the next phase of implementation.
From Dialogue to Sustainable Reform
The outcomes of this policy dialogue will guide the development of systems that ensure public funds serve the public good and that local governance works for everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
Through data-driven insights and citizen feedback, the LAI Project aims to track progress, strengthen performance, and enhance trust between the government and the governed.
The Road Ahead
The Dialogue sets the stage for the next phase of the project – piloting the LAI tool in three LGAs, establishing Accountability Committees, and launching a public dashboard to promote real-time transparency.
Through this initiative, SSDO reaffirms its commitment to strengthening governance systems that place citizens at the centre of development and decision-making.
