Yiaga Africa, on Wednesday, officially launched the Ekiti chapter of the People’s Assembly for effective communication and deliberation among the citizens, groups and executives of Ado LGA.

Yiaga Africa is a non-profit civic hub of change-makers committed to promoting democratic governance, human rights and civic engagement.

Yiaga programme officers in Ado-Ekiti convened the gathering to enlighten citizens, groups, and Ado LG officials on their roles and duties in service delivery, especially regarding the dividend of democracy.

A senior programme officer, Anthonia Onda, said the objective of the People’s Assembly was to bring together citizens, various associations, and Ado council officials “to have effective interactions, deliberations and debate on the needs of the people at the grassroots.”

She urged participants to be free to discuss the challenges confronting their communities, streets and local areas “to enable the local government authorities to proffer adequate solutions to them.”

Another officer, Olaniyan Sanusi, described the People’s Assembly in the LGA as apt and necessary to promote public deliberations and improve citizen’s participation in democratic governance.

He said that the assembly was first established in Lagos in 2022 and had been replicated in six LGAs.

Mr Sanusi, however, enlightened the participants on what democracy entails, the role of the LG officials, and why citizens must constantly interact with them to enjoy the dividend of democracy at the grassroots level.

Yiaga People’s Assembly leaders in Ado LGA nominated Stella Omodele, Gbenga Ariyo and Isabella Adeyemo to lead the group.

Their role is to always reach out to all groups, such as market women, artisans, residents, and officials of Ado LGA, for regular deliberations and interactions regarding the needs of the people at the grassroots level.

Some of the issues deliberated upon that affect the citizens and residents of Ado LGA include the lack of healthcare facilities on Ajebandele Street on Ikere-Ekiti Road and the poor road network in Ado-Ekiti.

Others were the lack of good drains in the Adebayo area in Ado-Ekiti, the lack of empowerment of small business owners, high levies and double taxation of shop owners and traders in the council area.

(NAN)