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The leader of the 7th Osisioma Ngwa Legislative Council, Victor Ngwakwe, has expressed concern over what he describes as a rising tide of anger, hunger, and frustration among residents in various local government areas of Abia. He attributes this situation to the state’s alleged stringent control over local government finances.
Ngwakwe, who represents Osokwa Ward, stated that councillors in Osisioma Ngwa are facing significant pressure from their constituents, who expect them to provide essential services despite the lack of direct funding.
“Our people are not asking for much. They simply want the basic services that the government is supposed to provide,” he told reporters on Thursday.
“However, the grassroots community does not know the individuals at the state level — they only have access to their councillors, who unfortunately lack the necessary funds to operate.”
He voiced his deep concern that public trust in local representatives is waning, especially among elderly voters who no longer believe their councillors can fulfill their campaign promises.
Ngwakwe accused the Abia State Government of breaching the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Local Government Act by managing and spending local government allocations from Umuahia, instead of permitting councils to oversee their own finances.
“Everything is handled at Government House in Umuahia, which contradicts what is explicitly stated in the Constitution,” he remarked.
“It is only in Abia that this section of the law is enforced 100% against local councils.”
The lawmaker revealed that councillors frequently rely on personal funds or private support to execute even the smallest projects.
“Any project you see councillors undertaking now is either funded personally or backed by a friend or political mentor,” he added.
Ngwakwe encouraged Abia residents to recognize that local councillors are eager and prepared to serve if they are given access to their rightful statutory allocations.
“The funds allocated to Osisioma Ngwa are sufficient to demonstrate that we care for our people,” he stated. “But I must emphasize — Abia State controls the local government funds, and we do not have access to our monthly allocations.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main issues faced by the residents of Osisioma Ngwa?
Residents are experiencing a growing sense of anger, hunger, and frustration due to a lack of basic services, which is attributed to the state's control over local government funds.
Why are councillors unable to provide services to their constituents?
Councillors are under immense pressure as they lack direct funding from the state, which limits their ability to deliver essential services to their constituents.
What is the impact of the state government's control over local funds?
The state's control over local government finances has led to declining public confidence in local representatives, as they are unable to fulfill their campaign promises due to lack of resources.
