By Vincent Ujumadu

AWKA— SIX local government areas in Anambra State have been selected for the pilot programme on Vanguard for Good Governance instituted by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, in conjunction with the state government.

The local governments are Ogbaru, Idemili South, Anambra East, Nnewi North, Aguata and Awka South.

Essentially, the officials would, at the end of a training, be in a position to monitor and evaluate the use of public funds and act as watchdogs to ensure that those in leadership positions at all levels were made to adhere strictly to good governance.

An official of the agency, Mr. Emeka Ohuoha, said the agreement with the UNDP stipulated the development of a medium term collaborative framework for annual work plans which, he added, would be based on the premise that the use of public resources for development purposes called for quality planning, fiscal management and effective monitoring.

He recalled that Anambra State could not participate in projects financed by international agencies during the 5th and 6th country plans due to lack of good governance, adding that it was not until the present administration came into being that the state became investment- friendly for donor agencies.

He explained that other local governments would join the vanguard based on the success achieved in the six pilot local government areas.

Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Professor Chinyere Okunna, who spoke through the permanent secretary of the ministry, said the committee in the six local governments would collaborate with the state Good Governance Committee for the purpose of sharing information that would move Anambra State to the next level.