In a region where years of conflict have shaken public confidence in institutions, complaints about poor service delivery, lack of transparency and limited access to basic rights continue to dominate local conversations. For many, the struggle to obtain civil status certificates, the perception of discrimination, or the feeling that grievances go unheard has created a growing trust deficit between citizens and local authorities.
It was against this backdrop that the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (PIC) took advantage of the opening day of the September Ordinary Session of the North-West Regional Assembly to sensitise stakeholders. Invited by Assembly President Prof. Fru Angwafor III, the PIC team addressed parliamentarians, traditional rulers, regional councillors and mayors on its mandate and the ongoing campaign on good governance in regional and local authorities.
In a series of presentations, experts from the PIC laid out the creation, organisation and functioning of the office, explained the procedures for managing complaints, and shared the content of the complainant’s guide for citizens. They also introduced the three-month campaign on good governance, which highlights the role of citizens in promoting accountability in their communities.
Addressing the Assembly, the Public Independent Conciliator Tamfu Simon Fai welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with regional leaders. He listened to concerns ranging from the need to adapt legislation to local realities, to the timely issuance of civil status documents, the visibility of PIC’s work on the ground, and the publication of its annual reports. He assured stakeholders that the office remains accessible and ready to attend to complaints, stressing that good practices in service delivery must become the norm.
By encouraging openness, responsiveness and fairness, the PIC is seeking to transform governance from an abstract principle into a lived reality. The sensitisation exercise did not only provide clarity on the role of the PIC, it also challenged stakeholders to be accountable and transparent in their dealings with the population.
For a region still struggling with a conflict, the impact of such interventions could be far-reaching. Greater awareness of citizens’ rights and responsibilities, coupled with stronger oversight of local authorities, has the potential to rebuild trust, reduce abuses and foster social cohesion.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 694 71 85 77
Pictures by PIC Facebook page
