NCCE Educates Public on Local Governance, Decentralisation and Citizen Participation

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has educated the public on the concepts of local government and decentralization, stressing the importance of citizens’ active participation in local governance.

The education was delivered on Sissala Radio by the Municipal Director, Mr. Hussein Elyasu, who explained that local development programmes and policies are expected to be planned and implemented using a bottom-up approach.

He explained that the approach begins with the assessment of the needs of communities and the prioritisation and ranking of those needs, which form the basis for the preparation of the Medium-Term Development Plan. The implementation of the plan is subsequently guided by the Annual Action Plan.

Mr. Elyasu made reference to the 1992 Constitution and the Local Government Act, 2016 (Act 936), noting that decentralisation was intended to bring governance and development closer to the people.

He also discussed the various forms of decentralisation being practised, including fiscal, political, administrative and decentralised planning.

The Municipal Director urged community members to take advantage of opportunities provided for them to participate in local governance processes.

He said active participation would help make development more people-centred, while ensuring that development interventions addressed the actual needs and challenges of communities.