Youths in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State have raised concerns over the high cost of obtaining nomination forms for elective political offices in the state.
They said the financial burden constitutes a major barrier, discouraging many capable young people from actively participating in politics and public leadership.
Speaking during the LGA Quarterly Dialogue Session organised by the Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI), one of the participants, Mr George, questioned the government’s commitment to youth inclusion in governance.
He also raised concerns about election manipulation and stressed the need for transparent, credible and inclusive electoral processes that encourage active participation by young people and other citizens.
George further lamented the growing insecurity in the local government area and called for stronger collaboration among the government, security agencies and community members to improve public safety.
Another participant, Mr Chiemezie, expressed concern over the poor state of environmental sanitation in Owerri Municipal, citing indiscriminate waste disposal and inadequate waste management as major environmental challenges contributing to unhealthy living conditions and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
He called for improved waste collection systems, greater public awareness on proper waste disposal and stronger government intervention in environmental sanitation.
On electricity supply, Mr Uche sought clarification over widely circulated claims about the provision of 24-hour electricity in Owerri. He urged the government to provide accurate information on the current state of electricity supply and its plans to improve power availability for residents.
Responding, a Local Government official and Director of Youth at the Imo State Ministry of Youth, Mr Iheanacho, appreciated participants for their thoughtful contributions and acknowledged the importance of creating platforms that allow young people to engage directly with government representatives.
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On environmental sanitation, Iheanacho admitted that waste management remains a significant challenge in Owerri Municipal.
He emphasised that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility and encouraged residents to comply with approved waste disposal practices, assuring participants that their concerns would be communicated to the appropriate authorities.
On electricity, he urged participants to rely on official government communication channels for accurate information regarding electricity projects, adding that the relevant authorities continue to engage stakeholders on improving power supply.
Addressing youth inclusion in governance, Iheanacho encouraged young people to remain actively involved in civic and political processes despite existing challenges.
He explained that the cost of nomination forms is determined by political parties and urged youths to continue organising, advocating and preparing themselves for leadership opportunities at different levels of governance.
Responding to concerns about insecurity, the official stressed the importance of collaboration between residents and security agencies.
He encouraged community members to promptly report suspicious activities and continue supporting community-based security initiatives.
On allegations of election manipulation, Iheanacho emphasised the need for peaceful participation in democratic processes and encouraged citizens to remain actively engaged in civic education, voter participation and lawful electoral activities.
Although no specific commitments were made during the session, the official assured participants that all the issues raised had been noted and would be forwarded to the relevant authorities for necessary action.
Earlier, the Executive Director of CATYCOI, Nonso Orakwe, said the dialogue session was organised to provide a platform for constructive engagement between youths, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), civil society actors and Local Government officials in Owerri Municipal.
“The session aimed to promote citizen participation in governance by creating an avenue for participants to discuss issues affecting their communities, seek clarification on government policies and recommend practical solutions to improve governance and service delivery,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of active citizenship, accountability and collaboration between government officials and community members, Orakwe urged participants to freely express their concerns and contribute ideas that could support improved governance within the LGA.
The 31 participants, comprising youths, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and civil society representatives, commended the initiative, saying it provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly with government representatives. They also called for sustained stakeholder engagement to improve governance, accountability and service delivery in the area.
Among their recommendations were the strengthening of waste management systems in Owerri Municipal through improved waste collection services, increased public sensitisation and better environmental sanitation practices.
They also called for deliberate measures to encourage youth participation in governance by reducing barriers to political participation, including the high cost of nomination forms.
