Retired Brig-Gen Paul Boroh, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on the Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, has started to push for an effective cooperative governance at the grassroots level.
He made the call while commending the newly installed Amayanabo of Okochiri Town, in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Ateke Michael Tom.
Boroh, an Ijaw was full of praises for the ex-Niger Delta armed rebel for truly embracing peaceful option in resolving the oil region’s problems.
According to the presidential aide, the Federal Government was sincerely committed to the sustainable peace, stability and development of the region under a peaceful atmosphere.
Boroh, who led a high powered delegation from the Presidential Amnesty Office to Okochiri town to honour the former militant leader, during his official coronation, applauded King Ateke Tom, for his peace building efforts in the community and the state at large, saying that the Presidential Amnesty Office was so proud to identify with him on his day of honour and conferment as the new King by his people, whom he has always stood for in time past.
He also commended the Rivers State Government for the official recognition of the stool, noting that traditional leaders, being the custodians of the sacrosanct rich cultural heritage, which includes the valuable traditions, practices, knowledge and skills, that stem from the long history of the Okrika people, through interactions with many other cultural, traditional and economic environments.
Continuing, he said while local government councils were responsible for the provisions of basic amenities at the grassroots level, the roles of traditional leadership and institutions should be incorporated as integral component of harmonising relationships between traditional rulers and the state government in assigning specific roles to play in the development of the rural economy.
While insisting on an effective co-operative governance at the grassroots, he maintained that such system of administration at the community level would further deepen co-operation, healthy interpersonal communication and better consultation between all organs of state and the traditional institutions.
”Democratisation of governance, decision-making, law making processes and decision implementation, would be impracticable without an effective participation of the traditional rulers, particularly in the development of traditional communities, pointing out that it would be inappropriate to reduce the powers of traditional rulers, particularly in matters of governance, as traditional leaders control vital resources such as land/environment and are engaged in very important roles in service delivery in the rural areas”, he said.
Boroh commended Okochiri community for installing Ateke Tom as their traditional leader, and accordingly enjoined them to rally round and support the new king to foster peace and harmony in the area and other areas of influence.
”The reason, being that traditional institution in any community remains the voice that articulates and translates the aspirations and interests of the people on matters of rural development and governance, and as such, the traditional institution cannot be immune to change and transformation”, the presidential aide added.