100 DAYS IN OFFICE – DEGEMA LGA’s experience of transformation and growth following the “Whole of Society (WoS)” governance approach of its Chairman, Hon Dr Agiriye Monima Harry

From the Campaigns, Hon Dr A. Harry travelled the length and breath of numerous rural and hard to reach communities in DELGA soliciting for the people’s confidence and repository of trust in his proven capabilities as a people-centred leader and community mobilizer capable of translating votes to shared victories and testimonies. The people BELIEVED, and HANDED their votes and BATON of LEADERSHIP to him. Thus started this journey of leadership through service to DELGA people in areas of social welfare & humanitarian services, human capital development, health & health care delivery, education, security & rule of law, basic infrastructure and utilities, quality of life and neighbourliness, energy, economy and more! ELECTION, SWEARING IN, then, ACTION.
Presented here are excerpts of/from the journey so far.

*People-centred governance*
First, Hon Dr A. M. Harry and his team returned to the communities converting a THANK YOU tour to a LISTENING EXERCISE and NEEDS GATHERING activity.

– Security, rule of law and conflict resolution: In recognition of peace as a necessary ingredient for communal prosperity and economic development, his very first actions as Chairman perhaps were critical stakeholder engagement to guarantee security of lives and property. Since then, every effort has been deployed to quelling flashpoints of conflict and violence and entrenching fairness/fairplay in negotiations and peace talks. These continue even as the people have come to expect and respect Mr Chairman’s firmness yet fair mindedness and peace returns and remains in DELGA.
– Restoration of power supply and provision of alternative power supply to the LGA Secretariat & select parts of the LGA (list examples). Additionally, the Chairman worked with Oguruama, Bakana and Tombia communities to replace vandalized and damaged transmission equipment enabling resumption of power supply. Solar street lights have been installed in 5 communities and in communities without access to the National grid, community diesel generators have been provided and resourced to provide power.
– Human Capital Development: At various levels, the LGA continues to invest in capacity building of persons with key/critical roles and potentials in the LGA eg Councillors, Legislators, LGA Director of PHC/MOH, etc. The framework for the roll out of an LGA-wide Skills Acquisition Programme is being concluded to provide/enhance capacity of young and abled residents/citizens to be gainfully engaged and meaningful contributors to economic activity for development of the LGA.
– Provision of Potable Water: in communities like Ke and Bille has significantly reduced the risk of disease outbreaks linked directly to waterborne diseases like cholera and improved the quality of life of residents. Water filtration technology and infrastructure is being installed also for the towns’ water supply to homes.
– Road Infrastructure:repairs of critical sections of roads have begun in parts of the LGA in recognition of the vital linkages between road access and economic productivity and prosperity. Sections leading to the Secretariat are near completion with others billed to commence.
– Education: Targeted investment has commenced to prepare the LGAs youth for widespread success in the forthcoming WAEC and JAMB examinations. Accordingly, coaching teams have been assembled and deployed paid for by the LGA. Next step is the building of more suitable infrastructure for year round educational support programmes and activities.
– Health Infrastructure: the Medical Doctor Chairman has sworn to ensure that all DELGANs have access to basic health care in their communities. He began with significant *renovation and equipping of the long-abandoned PHC Usokun*. Residential Quarters for Doctors & other critical Health Care workers was renovated at Usokun. Partnering with the Ministry of Health, he flagged off and significantly supported the rollout of large scale hypertension and diabetes testing campaign in communities as part of the National Project 10M. He provided *logistic and resource support for the successful implementation of the Round 2 of the MNCH Week* which provides free access to maternal and child health interventions across the length and breath of the LGA particularly hard to reach communities. He has invested in emergency transportation infrastructure through the purchase and provision of Keke ambulances for specific deployment and use in remote & riverine communities like Bakana reducing mortality and morbidity due to delays in getting needed care from the health facilities.
– Health Services Delivery: By investing in providing/paying for health insurance for over 4,000 DELGANS, Dr Harry guarantees that these persons are able to demand for healthcare services whenever they need to, and do not face financial hardship or poverty as a result! Health Insurance premiums paid for on behalf of dedicated Vulnerable Groups in the LGA. Sponsoring health insurance enrollment and medical treatment outreaches to difficult-to-reach and far flung communities reducing inequities in healthcare access.
– Social Welfare: The life of young Destiny Nafa of Ke took a sad turn due to a domestic accident leaving him injured in his left eye. In another turn, Dr Harry’s administration paid every expense for his reconstructive surgery restoring not only his vision but the promise of a brighter future!
– Empowerment to vulnerable Groups: Providing resources and infrastructure to vulnerable groups to reduce the impact of economic hardships while promoting sustainability and clean energy practices. Eg purchase and distribution of Clean Energy Stoves to widows, etc.
– Ongoing Renovation, Furnishing & Equipping of LGA Secretariat Infrastructure for improved working conditions for staff and service delivery to citizens.
– Year End/Christmas Holidays were marked by the widespread distribution of care, sustenance and gift packages to citizens and vulnerable groups on a ward basis. Insisting on fair play, the Chairman emphasized that packages need to be equally and equitably distributed to cushion the impact of economic hardship in the midst of the Yuletide! No DELGAN would mark Christmas on an empty stomach. LGA Civil Servants received Christmas bonuses also.

The goal of this administration remains to boost economic productivity and improve the quality of life of ordinary citizens. Within this first 100 days, the Dr A M Harry-led WoS approach to governance continues to deliver beyond promises made. With continuous citizen engagement, reflection, evaluation and learning, the ground has been set for major positive & transformative changes for the LGA. The journey which just started continues.

Signed
Gloria Boma Harry
CPS, DELGA.