By Chizoba Okeke
The Anambra State House of Assembly has called for the immediate training of local government staff on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) compliance to enhance service delivery across the state.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Idemili South Constituency, Hon. Ebuka Igwe, and seconded by Hon. Golden Iloh (Ihiala II) during plenary.
The House urged the Managing Director of the Anambra State Information Communication Technology Agency to collaborate with the Anambra State Local Government Service Commission to design and implement comprehensive ICT training programmes for staff across the 21 local government areas.
Presiding over the session, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Okoye, commended the motion, describing it as timely and critical to strengthening the effectiveness of the local government system.
Moving the motion, Hon. Igwe noted that digital transformation and e-governance remain central to the state government’s development agenda, stressing that local government councils, as the closest tier of government to the grassroots, play a vital role in delivering essential services.
He explained that the Local Government Service Commission, which oversees recruitment, training, and discipline of council staff, must ensure personnel are adequately equipped with ICT skills to meet modern administrative demands.
According to him, the lack of ICT proficiency among local government workers has continued to impede the full implementation of e-governance initiatives, resulting in inefficiencies, delays, poor data management, and limited transparency.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Golden Iloh, member representing Ihiala two emphasized that sustained capacity building in ICT compliance would empower staff with digital tools, cybersecurity knowledge, data analytics, and modern record-keeping systems. He added that such initiatives would align grassroots governance with the Soludo administration’s vision of a smart, livable, and prosperous Anambra.
Also speaking, Hon. Noble Igwe (Ogbaru I), decried what he described as a systemic decline in the local government structure, citing gaps in basic administrative processes. He stressed the urgent need for ICT training to modernize operations and improve efficiency.
In his contribution, the Majority Leader, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, highlighted that strategic collaboration between the ICT agency and the Local Government Service Commission would provide a cost-effective framework for delivering practical and result-oriented training programmes tailored to the needs of local government personnel.
The House subsequently resolved to urge the relevant agencies to commence the training to boost efficiency, transparency, and service delivery at the grassroots level.
Chizoba is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
