By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The immediate-past Head of Service in Anambra State, Dame Barr. Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, mni, has called for a more innovative, efficient and citizen-focused approach to grassroots administration, charging public servants to move beyond routine official activities and concentrate on delivering practical solutions to the everyday problems of residents.
The call formed the central message at the 2026 Annual Local Government Service Week organized by the State Local Government Service Commission, which kicked off at the Commission’s premises in Awka on Tuesday, November 10, with Dame Igwegbe serving as the keynote speaker.
Speaking on the theme, “Innovation and Efficiency in Local Government Service: The Solution Agenda”, Igwegbe challenged local government personnel to measure their performance by the quality of services delivered to citizens rather than the volume of files processed, meetings attended and reports submitted.
She explained that local government was the closest tier of government to the people, making its effectiveness particularly important in determining how citizens experience governance. She identified such everyday services as prompt response to complaints, accessible public facilities, proper drainage maintenance, efficient birth registration and the resolution of community problems as practical indicators of good administration.
The former Head of Service stressed that innovation did not necessarily depend on expensive technology or sophisticated computer applications, but could begin with simple administrative improvements such as simplifying procedures, reducing unnecessary approvals, maintaining proper records, establishing clear service timelines and assigning specific responsibilities to officers.
“Innovation is not a computer. It is merely new ways to achieve better results while de-mystifying the phenomenon of “this is how we do it here,”” she stated.
She also emphasised the need for Standard Operating Procedures, proper revenue assessment and reconciliation, transparent financial management and effective maintenance of public assets. According to her, digitising inefficient processes without first correcting their underlying weaknesses would not amount to meaningful reform.
Addressing the role of personnel in improving service delivery, Igwegbe identified punctuality, professionalism, teamwork, accurate record-keeping, accountability and willingness to adapt to new methods as essential qualities expected of public servants. She also called for continuous training, fair supervision, staff welfare and performance monitoring through clearly defined Key Performance Indicators.
The keynote speaker further advocated the use of practical innovations in personnel management, revenue collection, records administration, public complaints, environmental sanitation, project monitoring, procurement and budgeting. She said local government councils could improve these areas through reliable staff databases, electronic payment and receipt systems, document tracking, accessible complaint channels and proper project records.
She acknowledged challenges confronting local government administration, including inadequate funding, outdated procedures, poor data, skills gaps, unreliable power supply and resistance to change, but maintained that such constraints should not prevent councils from adopting affordable reforms that could improve their operations.
On community participation, Igwegbe urged local government authorities to strengthen engagement with residents, traditional institutions, town unions, traders, women, young people and other stakeholders in identifying pressing needs and determining development priorities. She noted that citizens should be able to report problems, receive feedback and know the steps government was taking to address them.
As a practical approach, she proposed a 100-day reform plan for local governments, beginning with an assessment of existing services and recurring community problems within the first 30 days, followed by the removal of administrative bottlenecks in the next 30 days, and a further 40 days devoted to demonstrating measurable improvements.
She said the progress of such interventions should be assessed through indicators including service turnaround time, complaints resolved, revenue properly accounted for, staff attendance and productivity, maintenance activities completed and citizens’ satisfaction.
While making brief reference to the state government’s Solution Agenda, Igwegbe stressed that the ultimate responsibility of local government workers was to translate development policies into services that residents could actually experience in their communities.
Read the full keynote speech HERE
While Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo was named the Special Guest of Honour; the Tuesday session of the event was graced by the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. Vin Ifeanyi Ezeaka (as Guests of Honour), alongside members of the Local Government Service Commission, including Prof. Ngozi Ewuim, Hon. Barr. (Mrs.) Anthonia Tabansi-Okoye and Hon. Uche Okafor.
Also present were the event host and leadership of the Commission, including the Chairman, Dr. Mrs. Ify Orie; and the Secretary, Frank Anatogu, alongside some other top local government officials and other stakeholders.
Chaired by the APGA candidate for Anaocha/Dunukofia/Njikoka Federal Constituency, Prince Chukwudi Oli; the event also had the Mayor of Awka South Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Okafor as another Guest of Honour.
According to the programme slated for the 2026 Annual Local Government Service Week, activities continue on Wednesday, November 11, with engagements across the 21 local government areas of the state.
The week will climax on Thursday, November 12, with a cultural day featuring cultural displays, skills demonstrations and an agricultural exhibition at the Local Government Service Commission premises in Awka.
The celebration is aimed at promoting professionalism, improved administrative practices and a stronger service culture within the local government system, with particular attention to the role of public servants in making government more responsive to the needs of communities.
More photos and videos from the event:
