Effective Communication Tool To Enhance Community Governance—Foundation
A non- governmental organisation, CLEEN Foundation has identified effective communication as a veritable tool to enhance governance in communities.
The foundation made this observation in workshops tagged" Community Governance Mechanisms: Key Tools for Community Development and Fight against Corruption held in two oil bearing communities of Umuorie and Owaza in Ukwa West local government area of Abia State.
In a paper titled"Effective Communication and Managing Information in Oil Producing Communities" delivered by Amaka Biachi, it was opined that effective communication between the traditional rulers and their subjects ensures peace and stability in the communities.
She noted that a traditional ruler could deploy effective communication to mobilise his subjects effectively.
" The beauty of democratic governance is in the participation of the citizens. When you and i remain docile, we contribute to the rot or decay in the society. To be proactive in governance, we must be armed with information and also be ready to use it for the good of the generality of persons.
" In community governance, the traditional ruler uses information gathered to rule fairly and peaceably. It can also be deployed in discussing with the local, state and federal governments. It is thus a very important link between the leader and the followers," she said.
In his presentation, the programme officer of CLEEN FOUNDATION, Mr. Ifeanyi Anyanwu enumerated the importance of information to include using it to hold leaders accountable and making necessary inquiries on governance.
He noted that factors such as value system, selective perception, assumption, emotion, silence, and fear of criticisms render communication ineffective.
According to him, effective communication can only be achieved through understanding, trust, respect, the style of communication adopted, among others.
Anyanwu said that for effective communication to be fostered between the community leaders and the people, there should be regular interface between the leaders and the people."It is only through this that communication can be bridged," he said.