Abia Think Tank Calls For Govt Accountability, Inclusivity

Stakeholders have called on the Abia State government to prioritise transparency, tolerance, and inclusivity in their dealings.

This was stated at the symposium organised by the Abia Think Tank Association (ATTA), Lagos branch, themed: “The Current Government in Abia: Is it the One to Come or Look We for Another?”

Speaking with the newsmen, ATTA President Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa highlighted areas that require improvement, saying, “The government needs to prioritise citizen participation and inclusivity. While the government has done well so far, some areas need improvement. One key area is transparency. People ask for greater transparency in government actions, such as awarding contracts. Inclusivity is another important aspect.

The government should ensure that every segment of Abia society feels included and supported.”

Ohuabunwa also stressed the importance of tolerance, urging the government to be open to criticism and engage in constructive dialogue.

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“Tolerance is crucial. The government should be willing to tolerate criticism and engage in constructive dialogue. Democracy and free speech are about allowing people to express their opinions, even if they are not always pleasant. The government has the opportunity to correct any wrong impressions with facts and evidence rather than resorting to abuse,” he added.

For his part, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Etigwe Uwa called for comprehensive governance that goes beyond infrastructure and salaries, emphasising the need for wealth creation and the well-being of the people.

He said, “The current government has made positive strides, but much work still needs to be done. Make no mistake, we are not where we ought to be. We learnt the government is now building roads and paying salaries. Governance is not just about building roads or paying salaries, but about harnessing the resources of a state to create wealth and ensure the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.”

On his part, a frontline media icon cum public analyst, Dr Chidi Amuta, proposed that the minimum qualification to teach in the Abia education system should be a university degree.

Amuta, who expressed his delight at the governor’s introduction of free education and the banishment of levies and taxes on parents and the poor for their children’s education, emphasised the need to do more.