MINISTER of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has called on local governments in the country to ensure provision of sound primary education.
He observed that part of the problem the country has had in the past 14 years of democracy was the inability of local governments to respond effectively to the needs of the grassroots
During an inspection of the Obiozara Bypass, executed by Ohaozara Local Government Area, the Minister said: "We want to see the local government more active because it is the unit of democracy that is closer to the people. We know that they pay teachers' salaries, but running the school to ensure that they meet standards is another issue.
"It is the responsibility of the local government and that of Heads of Departments of primary education to go out and supervise what happens in schools."
Maku noted that the Federal Government has supplied textbooks to all primary schools in the country, adding every child in primary schools should have English, Mathematics, General Science and Technical Education books.
The Minister pointed out that the third tier of government must perform, "if we are going to have any meaningful development. If this country is to develop and our democracy is to make impact, local governments must perform their responsibilities; build markets, primary schools, bridges and roads. If the local governments fail to perform these roles, we cannot take development to the grassroots."
Maku urged local governments to assist in the control of crimes by providing local security.
In his remark, Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, disclosed that the state government has been working in synergy with local governments in the state.
Earlier, the chairman of the local government, Ogbuefi Enekwachi Akpa, said that the scope of the project includes asphalting of the 2km Obiozara Bypass road with two drains, two walkways, and two side kerbs and asphalting of the local government secretariat.
He stated that the contract was awarded to a local contractor at the cost of N189m, adding that construction of an ultramodern local government secretariat with a 5000-capacity hall would soon commence.
The Guardian