Proactive Vigilance: How Citizens can hold their government accountable
Oludotun Babayemi
July 18, 2016
“Abeg, you cannot come and fix a programme that will start at 8 am on a Saturday morning, I will not be able to attend, please postpone it for another day or cancel it” responded Ijiwere to her colleagues, who wanted to visit another friend; “Let me tell you, If you want me to come for that ‘owambe’ party on Saturday, then you should let it start at 10 am” affirmed Giringori, to his friends who were planning an event for Saturday.
“Imagine, those my friend wanted to suggest 8 am as a time for that party, I totally disagreed, and told them Jigida will be aired on radio at that time, and that is the only way I can report the lack of water in Kagara” said Giringori to his elder brother – Ijiwere.
These are the kind of conversations that go on in Kagara community, with everyone looking forward to Jigida, a weekly, one – hour radio programme that allows for citizens to call – in and express their community needs, which afterwards are been documented and sent to the various local government chairmen, and State House of Representative for response and decisions to be made. That’s not all, the first 30 mins of the programme is dedicated to the Councillor of the community sharing with the community, how much and what they will be spending on in the week. This is what proactive vigilance is all about!
Although proactive vigilance or public participation in budgeting or government spending is relatively new, the evidence attesting to its impact on resource allocation and service delivery is growing. Many of the existing findings are based on the well-known Brazilian experience with participatory budgeting, established first in Porte Alegre in 1989, and now replicated in over 40 countries around the world. Nigeria, is not left out as well, as its government hopes to encourage citizen participation, with its recent commitment to joining the Open Government Partnership, a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
You might be wondering, how many – landlord associations,vigilante groups, market women associations, community development associations, we have in rural communities. A lot of them! When are we going to start having “project vigilante” in rural communities, that will become voices of several communities, because by the time you wake up tomorrow morning, the news will be agog with “one billion dollars to be released to provide water in Kagara” only to go to Kagara after one year, you will find out that Kagara has no water source or a broken water source. Quite pathetic, and that’s is the way we are – the leaders and followers.
Nevertheless, I am excited that the Story Story writers at BBC Media Action are focusing on how citizens at the local government level, can be proactively vigilant on such issues of government spending in their communities, and I recently had some hours of session brainstorming with the crew, on how citizens can become vigilant themselves, I hope all will be reflected in their popular radio drama coming up sometimes in fall. Thanks to Nkem, our Reseach Lead on government finance, who took some notes on the highlights, and I have added them below:
Citizens can at every stage of this budget cycle engage their various government, but limited participation is expected during during formulation
- There is the local government or state government budget, a document that highlights government spending and revenue which can be for a financial year, or a multiyear.
- The Budget has its on cycle starting from formulation (when Ministry, Department, Agencies, put together their budget), to enactment (when the national or state legislative arm assent to the budget), to implementation (the stage at which contractors start executing projects in your communities), and lastly, the assessment stage (where everyone assesses the implementation of the budget, to provide feedback on how the next stage should look like)
- At every stage of the budget, citizens can make noise about their plight, and join in the conversation. They can form themselves as vigilante group or association, and always knock on the door of their local government officer or Councillor.
- They can forward a freedom of information request letter to the local government chairman to request for their budget immediately it passes the enactment stage, and even ask more question like who is the contractor, what is the work plan for the project, how much is the contractor getting, and when will the project be concluded. Here is an example of a freedom of information letter if you want to write one
- Government at the local government and state government level should starting providing platforms as well, for the assesement stage. E.g. using local radio programmes like Jigida, create a referendum mechanism for your local government area for people to have their say on projects proposed for next financial year. It should not be only during elections, that citizens see chairmen of local government or governors of states canvassing for votes.
- Like I always say, the budget is not only the means by which government declare their spending, in fact 50% – 60% of what’s on it might not be relevant. The other way is to always listen to the state news on your local radio, projects will be announced at all times, especially when they are project funded by other partners, such as the federal government or international donor agencies.
Ijiwere and Giringori have decided to do away with social gatherings, and focus on becoming a vigilante for community projects in Jigida, and if you are reading this, you should be towing same way, and you should share this piece. I look forward to the final drama series on this – If you have listened to Story Story, Voices from the Market program, then you should be more expectant. See you all in Kagara town, listening to Jigida on radio!
From left, Oludotun Babayemi, Nkem and the BBC Media Action Writers
You’ve got one of the greatest web-sites.
https://www.booksiesilk.com/users/enrocuters67-131698
Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying siberian kittens for sale in pa
a while but I never seem to get there! Thanks
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert
that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway
I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast. https://beermapping.com/account/banks33
It is not my first time to pay a quick visit this website,
i am browsing this web site dailly and take fastidious facts from here everyday.
Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re working with?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a reasonable price?
Many thanks, I appreciate it!
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored at work so I decided
to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
I really like the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I
get home. I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my cell
phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
Anyhow, very good blog!
Hey there I am so excited I found your site,
I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Google for something
else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thank you
for a tremendous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through
it all at the minute but I have saved it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please
do keep up the awesome work.
My webpage; Chelmsford Chauffeur Service
Saved as a favorite, I really like your web site!
My website :: siberian kittens for sale in pa
Link exchange is nothing else except it is just placing the other person’s web
site link on your page at appropriate place and other person will also do similar
in favor of you.
This paragraph offers clear idea designed for the new visitors of blogging, that actually
how to do blogging and site-building.
Hi there, There’s no doubt that your web site could be having internet browser
compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your blog
in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Apart from that, fantastic
site!
I am actually grateful to the owner of this web site who has shared this enormous piece of writing at
at this place.
This is the perfect webpage siberian kittens for sale in pa anybody who wishes to find out
about this topic. You understand a whole lot
its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
You certainly put a new spin on a topic which has been discussed
for a long time. Great stuff, just wonderful!
I am really loving the theme/design of your blog.
Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
A small number of my blog audience have complained
about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue? http://codepad.org/users/INSTAGRAM55
Hey very interesting blog!
Feel free to surf to my blog post :: siberian kittens for sale kentucky
Адвокат по уголовным делам в Москве
Wow, incredible blog format! How long have you been running a blog for?
you made blogging look easy. The total look of your
web site is excellent, let alone the content material!
Visit my webpage … Florida Keys Life
I blog often and I truly thank you for your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest.
I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information about once a week.
I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
Excellent items from you, man. I’ve keep in mind your stuff previous to and you’re
just extremely excellent. I actually like what you’ve obtained right here,
really like what you’re saying and the way in which
you assert it. You make it enjoyable and you
continue to take care of to stay it wise. I cant wait to learn much more from you.
That is actually a terrific site.
История ссылочной массы сайта
очень важна, например, при покупке домена, а
также при аудитах и определении стратегии продвижения.
Feel free to surf to my homepage … продвижение сайта англоязычном интернете (https://steamcommunity.com/linkfilter/?url=https://www.pinterest.Co.uk/auslanderru)
Excellent blog right here! Additionally your web site quite
a bit up very fast! What host are you the usage of?
Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink
on your host? I wish my website loaded up as
fast as yours lol
Here is my web page :: Janitorial commercial cleaning
It’s genuinely very difficult in this active life to listen news on Television, so I only use internet siberian kittens for sale that reason, and get the hottest information.
Popular article review ghostwriters website for masters https://www.google.mw/url?q=https://buyessayreviews.com/essaypro-com/
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the best blogs online.
I am going to recommend this site!
This is very attention-grabbing, You are an overly skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and sit up for seeking extra of your
great post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
What’s up mates, its great article about teachingand completely defined, keep it up all
the time. https://mindvalley.kl.tis.edu.my/user/banks33
Obtain a gaming license from a prominent jurisdiction with the assistance of our administrative and legal consultancy solutions.
Visit my web site; Nick
This site definitely has all the info I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask. https://www.drupalgovcon.org/user/234376
I am really thankful to the owner of this site who has shared
this enormous post at at this place.
my web page; siberian cats for sale
Simply want to say your article is as astounding.
The clarity to your publish is just cool and i could think you’re an expert on this subject.
Well along with your permission allow me to clutch your feed to keep up to date with
impending post. Thanks a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.
hello there and thank you siberian cats for sale near me your information – I’ve
certainly picked up anything new from right
here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this web site,
since I experienced to reload the site a lot of times
previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK?
Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and can damage
your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for
a lot more of your respective interesting content.
Ensure that you update this again very soon.
hi!,I love your writing so much! share we communicate
extra approximately your article on AOL? I require an expert in this
area to solve my problem. Maybe that is you!
Having a look ahead to peer you.
Hi there colleagues, how is the whole thing, and what you want
to say concerning this post, in my view its actually amazing designed for me.
For youthful people, figuring out how sex works is a frequent reason to turn to porn. In reality, one review exhibits that around
45% of teenagers who eaten adult have consequently in component to know about intercourse.
Similarly, study effects as well exhibit one in four 18 to
24-year-olds (24.5%) listed porn material as the most helpful supply
to learn how to have sex.
Interestring Factѕ Associated witһ The Popularity off Օnce Denounced Bringing More Clarity To Your Favorite CBD – Our New Labels Tell You How Much CBD Is In Your Favorite CBD OilOil
คาสิโนออนไลน์ระดับพรีเมี่ยม ที่มีสาวสวยมาแจกไพ่ ระบบฝาก-ถอน Auto 10 วินาที ไม่ต้องรอคอย คอนเซปนี้ชื่อว่า Sexy บาคาร่า หรือที่เรียกว่าเย้ายวน พวกเราย้ำบริการให้ผู้เล่นได้เจอกับการแปลกใหม่จากเดิม
I’ve been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of space .
Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site.
Studying this information So i’m glad to exhibit that I’ve
a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed.
I such a lot certainly will make certain to don?t forget this web site and give it a look regularly.
آشنایی با نرم افزار cmms
hello!,I really like your writing very so much!
percentage we keep in touch extra approximately
your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this space to resolve my problem.
May be that’s you! Looking ahead to peer you.
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me.
Thanks!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be
giving us something enlightening to read?
It’s not my first time to go to see this site, i am visiting this site dailly and get nice facts
from here everyday.
hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve definitely picked up something new
from right here. I did however expertise several technical
points using this site, as I experienced to reload
the site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will
very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your quality score if advertising
and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a
lot more of your respective exciting content. Make sure
you update this again soon.
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.
I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will
come back someday. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have
a nice morning!
Keep your body under consideration when gaming.A stability ball can really help in keeping your
spine properly aligned. When you are seriously involved with gaming,
make sure you do proper stretches and take lots
of breaks to ensure you don’t be harmed.
This article offers clear idea for the new visitors of
blogging, that genuinely how to do running a blog.
Hi this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how
so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
Any help would be enormously appreciated!
For newest information you have to go to see the web and on internet I found this website as
a finest website for newest updates.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit
the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that too few people are speaking
intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this in my search for something
concerning this.
Very quickly this website will be famous among all blog people,
due to it’s fastidious content
homepage