By Peace Udugba
Foundation urges Abia Government to institutionalise civil society participation, strengthen accountability and ensure inclusive, sustainable development.
The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has commended Abia State Governor, Alex C. Otti, for what it described as notable interventions in infrastructure development, urban renewal, security and the broader transformation of the state as Abia marks its 35th anniversary.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 28, 2026, to commemorate 35 years of Abia State, FENRAD congratulated the government and people of the state while acknowledging progress recorded in several sectors under the present administration.
The organisation particularly cited improvements in road infrastructure, rehabilitation and construction of public assets, urban renewal initiatives, sanitation efforts and measures aimed at restoring order and functionality to major urban centres.
FENRAD said the ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects, particularly in Aba and other parts of the state, had contributed to renewed economic activity and improved public confidence in the possibility of a more functional and investment-friendly Abia.
The foundation also commended the Otti administration for its efforts to strengthen security, noting that peace and security were essential to creating an environment where residents, businesses and investors could operate with greater confidence.
According to FENRAD, sustainable development cannot thrive without peace, security and respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.
FENRAD Calls for Stronger Workers’ Welfare
While acknowledging the administration’s achievements, FENRAD urged the Abia State Government to make workers’ welfare, decent working conditions and inclusive governance central to its development agenda.
The foundation said infrastructure and physical development were important indicators of progress, but sustainable development should ultimately be measured by its impact on citizens, including civil servants, teachers, health workers, pensioners, artisans, traders, young people, women and other vulnerable groups.
It therefore called on the government to sustain and deepen its commitment to the timely payment of salaries and pensions, improved working conditions, staff capacity development and social protection.
FENRAD stressed that workers should not be regarded merely as beneficiaries of government policies but as critical partners in delivering public services and achieving the state’s development objectives.
Civil Society Participation Needed in Policy Development
The organisation also called for greater institutionalisation of the participation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), professional associations, community-based organisations, traditional institutions, women and youth groups, persons with disabilities and other stakeholders in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of public policies and development programmes.
FENRAD said the experience, technical knowledge and community-level intelligence available within civil society could strengthen government decision-making and improve policy outcomes.
It recommended the establishment or strengthening of structured platforms for regular consultation between the government and civil society, particularly in budget formulation and monitoring, environmental governance, urban development, security, social protection, climate action, public health, education, accountability and community development.
The foundation said such engagement should go beyond occasional stakeholder meetings and become an institutionalised component of Abia’s governance architecture.
FENRAD Seeks Inclusive and Sustainable Development
As Abia enters another phase of its development journey, FENRAD urged the state government to ensure that infrastructure and urban renewal projects are implemented with adequate attention to environmental sustainability, social safeguards, community participation, accessibility and long-term maintenance.
It stressed that development should not only transform physical spaces but also strengthen institutions, protect citizens’ rights, create economic opportunities and ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind.
The organisation further encouraged the government to adopt evidence-based policymaking, open-government principles, public data, citizens’ feedback and independent monitoring mechanisms to assess the impact of its programmes.
FENRAD’s Recommendations to Abia Government
FENRAD called on the state government to:
- Sustain investments in critical infrastructure while prioritising quality, durability and effective maintenance.
- Strengthen workers’ welfare through timely payment of salaries and pensions, decent working conditions, professional development and social protection.
- Institutionalise civil society participation in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring across key sectors.
- Strengthen citizens’ participation and feedback mechanisms to ensure government policies reflect community needs.
- Promote environmentally sustainable urban renewal with appropriate environmental and social safeguards.
- Deepen transparency and accountability in public expenditure, procurement and project implementation.
- Ensure equitable distribution of development projects across urban, rural and underserved communities.
- Strengthen collaboration with development partners, CSOs, professional bodies and community stakeholders to leverage expertise and resources for sustainable development.
FENRAD Advocates Collective Responsibility
FENRAD said building a prosperous, secure and sustainable Abia could not be achieved by government alone, stressing the need for collective responsibility among government institutions, citizens, civil society, the private sector, traditional institutions, development partners and communities.
As the state celebrates 35 years of statehood, the foundation urged the Otti administration to build on its achievements while remaining open to constructive criticism, independent oversight and meaningful citizen participation.
FENRAD maintained that a stronger Abia would be one where infrastructure development goes hand in hand with human development, security is accompanied by respect for human rights, urban renewal incorporates social and environmental safeguards, workers are valued, and citizens and civil society have meaningful opportunities to participate in governance.
The organisation congratulated the people of Abia State on the anniversary and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing environmental justice, human rights, accountable governance, inclusive development and sustainable communities across the state.
