THE recent announcement by the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, about his intention to hold town hall meetings across the local government areas of the state is a commendable and significant step towards enhancing good governance. The initiative, aimed at strengthening the tenets of democracy by ensuring citizens’ participation in governance, also conveys his commitment to running an open and inclusive government based on his “MORE Agenda” mantra. Engaging properly with the public is essential for promoting peace and development.
Historically, town hall meeting with its origin in North America, denotes a public forum where politicians or government officials discuss their policies and answer questions with members of the public. It provides an opportunity for politicians to meet with their constituents, hear their concerns, and discuss upcoming legislation. In the United States, town hall meetings are used by politicians to connect with constituents during recess.
In Nigeria, town hall meetings have been utilised by governments since the dawn of the Fourth Republic, predominantly during election periods. It’s therefore gratifying when Oborevweri informed the State Executive of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), during their courtesy visit about his intention to hold town hall meetings across local government areas.
We appreciate the governor’s proposal, as such fora will provide him with the opportunity to engage directly with the public, gauge their feelings and opinions on government policies and programmes. This will undoubtedly help him to assess the impact of his MORE Agenda and enable the government to make necessary adjustments and improvements to achieve its goals.
Town hall meetings offer the government an excellent platform to build a lasting bond with the people, making them feel that the government is responsible and sensitive to their plight. A well-organised town hall meeting will also serve as an effective strategy for the government to showcase its achievements and gain public confidence in supporting its policies and programmes.
While we commend the governor’s bold initiative to gauge the public’s sentiment through robust engagement, it is crucial to set clear goals for the meetings and ensure representation from all segments of the population. A diverse range of voices must be invited to participate, and there should be no discrimination; the meetings must not be perceived as political gatherings or party affairs if their objectives are to be achieved.
We advocate for the use of interactive techniques to ensure the meetings facilitate two-way communication. To create an engaging atmosphere, participants should feel comfortable actively contributing and free to suggest ideas and ask relevant questions without fear of suppression.
For these meetings to be truly beneficial, we urge the government to demonstrate the political will to meticulously review the feedback gathered, including the challenges raised by the people.
The government’s commitment to finding solutions and identifying actionable items to address these concerns will instil confidence about its seriousness in addressing problems faced by the populace and assure them that their voices would be heard at all times. It’s important for the governor to ensure that the town hall meetings are not perceived as mere jamborees.
