Agba Jalingo Advocates for Tech-Driven LGA Services to Empower Citizens in Cross River State

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

In a recent publication by Agba Jalingo on CrossRiverWatch.com, he argues that Cross River State is witnessing a pivotal shift in the approach of political actors, non-state stakeholders, and public-spirited individuals toward serving vulnerable communities. According to Jalingo, these actors, who previously struggled to deliver tangible results, are increasingly adopting evolving technology to bypass traditional obstacles and reach citizens directly.

This technology-driven trajectory, he notes, is gaining traction at a remarkable pace, fostering cleaner, fraud-resistant methods of distributing opportunities while simultaneously generating valuable data for planning and development. The data, he emphasizes, adheres to global best practices and strict data security regulations, ensuring both accuracy and safety.

Technology and Data Collection Transform Governance

Jalingo observes that this new wave of tech-enabled governance is prompting a surge in requests for citizens’ personal information. Such data, he explains, can now be sourced from Local Government Areas (LGAs) anywhere in the world at the tap of a keypad, providing a secure mechanism for issuing critical documents like Certificates of Origin, Birth Certificates, Death Certificates, and Marriage Certificates.

“These documents are statutorily issued by LGAs, yet many citizens are denied opportunities simply because they cannot access verifiable copies without traveling hundreds of miles back home,” Jalingo writes. “With secure online portals, these documents can be printed or verified remotely, removing unnecessary hurdles and inefficiencies.”

The Case for LGA Autonomy in Hosting Portals

Jalingo strongly advocates for greater autonomy for LGAs to select their preferred IT companies to host secure portals. Currently, LGAs in Cross River State are restricted from hosting independent portals, a limitation he describes as “inimical to growth, innovation, and localised creativity.”

“This centralized control suffocates the ability of Chairmen and their teams to implement innovative solutions tailored to their communities,” he argues. “Unbundling LGAs from this restrictive structure will not harm the State government but will empower councils to reach more citizens efficiently.”

Global Comparisons Highlight Urgency

He cites the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as an example of effective digital integration. By incorporating artificial intelligence into their system, CAC allows individuals to verify information, make payments, and receive certificates within 30 minutes, eliminating the need for extensive travel.

“Why must a citizen travel hundreds of miles to obtain a document from an LGA when it can be securely accessed online?” Jalingo questions. “Maintaining such monopolistic restrictions is out of sync with the demands of a rapidly progressing world.”

Benefits of Tech-Enabled LGA Services

According to Jalingo, the proposed reforms would provide multiple advantages:

• Enhanced citizen access: Individuals across the globe could obtain critical LGA documents without physical presence.
• Revenue generation: LGAs could leverage these digital services to increase internally generated revenue.
• Security and authentication: Documents issued digitally would include secured identity numbers, ensuring authenticity.
• Innovation and local empowerment: Councils could adopt technology-driven solutions tailored to their local needs.

He concludes that it is time for the State Government to support and pilot this initiative, freeing LGAs to innovate while ensuring citizens benefit from modern, efficient, and secure services.

As Cross River State embraces digital solutions, stakeholders say that allowing LGAs to independently host portals could mark a turning point in citizen-centric governance, fostering transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in service delivery.

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