Civil society groups in Rivers State have rated the performance of local government chairmen across the state as largely poor following a 100-day assessment of their administrations.
The assessment, conducted by the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and Community-Based Groups, revealed widespread underperformance at the grassroots level, with many council chairmen reportedly unable to point to any meaningful projects despite funds allocated to their local governments.
According to the coalition, some councils attempted to present routine activities such as painting and minor renovations of schools and health centres as major achievements, a move the group described as evidence of weak vision and lack of commitment to genuine development.
However, the coalition commended the Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Owolubi Ofori, for what it described as an outstanding performance within his first 100 days in office. The group highlighted the establishment of a local government transport scheme, including the commissioning of buses, minibuses and tricycles, alongside other people-oriented projects.
The coalition named Abua/Odual as one of the best-performing local governments during the review period and urged other chairmen across the state to emulate its approach to governance and service delivery.
In a statement signed by the coalition’s spokesman, Nasigba Peterside, and Secretary General, Ayanate West, the groups also called on citizens to demand greater accountability and transparency in the management of public funds, stressing that the era of unquestioned leadership at the local government level is over.
