Etinan Local Government Council has partnered with a Civil Society Organisation, Policy Alert, to promote participatory youth inclusion in governance at the grassroots level.
The partnership, which aims to equip young people, women, and persons with disabilities with tools for fiscal transparency and accountability, was reached on Friday during an advocacy visit by Policy Alert team to the Etinan Council Chairman, Mr Uko Umoh, in his office.
Speaking during the visit, the Project Lead of Policy Alert, Idorenyin Eyo, said the initiative is a 12-month project titled “Prioritising Communities: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Administration,” supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).
She explained that the project seeks to build citizens trust and active participation across 10 LGAs in the three senatorial districts by directly engaging at least 90 young people, including members of youth-led organisations and persons with disabilities.
“Our goal is to build the capacity of young people to understand how public service works and empower them to engage meaningfully in governance processes. When youth, especially those from marginalised groups, are equipped to demand accountability and participate in decision-making, it ultimately improves service delivery at the local level,” Eyo said.
She further stated that the project will promote civic inclusion through participatory budgeting, community dialogues, and town hall meetings designed to close the communication gap between citizens and government, while ensuring gender-sensitive programming for equitable participation and representation.
Responding, the Etinan Council Chairman, Mr Uko Umoh, commended Policy Alert for its commitment to promoting transparency and inclusiveness in governance, describing the partnership as a timely initiative that aligns with the Council’s vision of a transparent and people-centred administration.
“We welcome this collaboration because it complements our ongoing drive to improve service delivery and civic engagement in Etinan,” Umoh said.
The chairman assured of his administration’s readiness to support the project’s implementation, adding that the council remains open to partnerships that bring value and innovation to local governance.
