By Ndife David, Obosi
The President-General of Obosi Development Union Worldwide (ODU), Barr. Chimezie Obi, has thrown his weight behind Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s proposed legislation establishing Community Administrations and recognizing Town Unions as the fourth tier of government in Anambra State.
Obi, who is also the Legal Adviser of the Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC), in a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Wednesday, described the initiative as a bold governance reform capable of bringing development closer to the people and transforming community administration across the state.
According to him, the proposal represents a deliberate shift from a system where governance and development decisions are largely driven from Awka and local government headquarters to one that gives communities a structured role in identifying their needs, setting priorities and participating directly in development.
He noted that Town Unions had, for decades, remained indispensable to community development in Anambra, mobilising citizens and resources for schools, healthcare, roads, infrastructure, peace, security and other community projects.
Obi said Town Unions had also maintained strong links with Anambra indigenes in Nigeria and the diaspora, making them strategic platforms for mobilising the human and financial resources needed for grassroots development.
He, however, noted that the absence of a comprehensive statutory framework defining the powers and responsibilities of Town Unions had created institutional challenges.
He described the proposed legislation as an opportunity to establish clear, effective and accountable structures for community administration.
Obi stressed the need for the framework to clearly distinguish the responsibilities of traditional institutions, particularly Ndi Igwe, from those of Town Union leaders headed by Presidents-General and their executives.
He maintained that both institutions remained vital to the stability and progress of their communities.
According to him, traditional rulers are custodians of culture, customs and heritage, while Town Unions serve as major instruments of organised development and grassroots administration.
He added that clearly defined and mutually respected roles would minimise conflicts, promote cooperation and strengthen community leadership.
Obi further said the proposed Community Administration system could establish stronger institutional links between Town Unions and Local Government Areas in development planning, project execution, data collection, security, monitoring and accountability.
He also identified greater opportunities for the participation of women, youths and Anambra indigenes in the diaspora, saying a properly structured legal framework could unlock the enormous human and material resources within communities.
He said it would also empower residents to monitor projects, demand transparency and assess development outcomes.
Obi described Soludo’s initiative as potentially historic, rather than a mere administrative adjustment, stressing that properly organised and empowered communities would make Anambra stronger, more responsive and better positioned for sustainable grassroots development.
Tags: #Soludo #Anambra #Town Unions #Community Development
