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
I am glad to be a visitor of this gross web site, thank
you for this rare info!
my web-site: Soulex Keto Review
Very great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted
to mention that I have really loved browsing your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing in your feed and I am hoping you write
once more soon!
my web blog: Power Pack Testo Reviews
THC gummies private label europe isolate is pure THC, with
no other cannabinoids.
Wow! Finally I got a weblog from where I be capable of genuinely obtain helpful facts regarding my study and knowledge.
Hello I am so grateful I found your web site, I really found
you by accident, while I was browsing on Google for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say
thank you for a remarkable 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 great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome work.
Wow, marvelous blog layout! How long have
you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, let alone the content!
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a little homework on this.
And he actually ordered me breakfast because I stumbled upon it for him…
lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this subject here on your web
site.
Возможных вариантов мало, опытному игроку вряд ли будет достаточно порядка событий для турниров и
встреч первого и второго эшелона.
Here is my web page :: контора леон букмекерская
A regular dosage is 30 mg of THC gummies montreal in one bag of item.
Sources close to The Adam Project actress report that Ben did tell
her about the wedding ahead of time.
my blog :: Monique
Thanks a ton for sharing your fantastic web-site.
link
Hi Dear, are you really visiting this web page regularly, if so then you will definitely take fastidious know-how.
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Superb choice of
colors!
Yes, Baccarat Rouge 540 is the 1 fragrance that
is liked and appreciated by even these who are not into fragrances.
my site – Charley
Yes! Finally someone writes about w88.
Quality content is the crucial to interest the people to go to see the web site,
that’s what this website is providing.
1. Do some research study on different THC Gummies Shark tank items.
It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you shared this useful
info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
my blog; seo melbourne fl
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or
blog posts on this sort of space . Exploring
in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site. Studying this
info So i’m satisfied to show that I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny feeling
I came upon exactly what I needed. I so much undoubtedly will make certain to don?t omit this web site and give it a glance
regularly.
my web blog … Small Business
После завершения регистрации
эти данные обязательно подтверждаются
через входящие сообщения Пин Ап.
Check out my homepage: pin up казино вход в личный
кабинет (http://www.cq51edu.cn/BOYA/home/upload/link.php?url=http://nathanie.mythem.es/reinstantiating)
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to
produce a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a
whole lot and don’t manage to get anything done.
my site … minecraft Coloring pages printable
Hey there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are
you using for this website? I’m getting sick and tired of
Wordpress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a
good platform.
Review my blog – phoenix area cash home Buyers
I’ve also been extremely grateful to perform with a lot of amazing providers.
my web blog … 유흥알바
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be exactly I’m
looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
I wouldn’t mind publishing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write related rent to own furniture here.
Again, awesome site!
I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking
for. Does one offer guest writers to write content in your case?
I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on a lot
of the subjects you write with regards to here.
Again, awesome web site!
Mesa168 : Info Live RTP Slot Online Gacor 2022 – Gudang288
THC gummies Montreal
isolate: THC isolate is the pure type of THC.
If you have got the capabilities, get element time operate in the beauty field.
Also visit my web-site … Lore.uppanary.com
Wow! At last I got a weblog from where I be capable of really take useful data regarding my study
and knowledge.
Have a look at my webpage Survi.vin
%%
my web-site window installation services walsall
payday loan
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with valuable information rent to own furniture work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our
entire community will be grateful to you.
Thanks in favor of sharing such a good thinking, article is good, thats
why i have read it completely
Hey There. I discovered your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read
extra of your useful information. Thank you for the post.
I’ll certainly comeback.
In addition to the range of different THC gummies kaya items.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now
each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
Thanks a lot!
Also visit my site :: website
The landscape of the U.S. job market has changed significantly in current
years.
Here is my web page; women’s health np jobs
Hello, yeah this piece of writing is actually good and I have learned lot of things from it on the topic of blogging.
thanks.
At this time it looks like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I
find this matter to be really something that I think
I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the
hang of it!
Touche. Great arguments. Keep up the great work.
Feel free to visit my blog post; payday loans online
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue together with your site in internet explorer, might test this?
IE nonetheless is the market leader and a large part of
folks will leave out your fantastic writing due to this problem.
Feel free to visit my website :: payday loans online
A typical dose is 30 mg of THC gummies shark tank in one bag of item.
Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite
reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing
to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed
while people consider worries that they just don’t know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing
without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Look at my webpage … buy now pay later furniture
Hey, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great
blog!
%%
Also visit my web-site; Night Creams
Truly no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of after that its up to other visitors that they will assist, so here it happens.
my web site :: seo company melbourne fl
%%
Here is my web page – spf 50 Moisturiser
Ꮋeⅼlo eveгyone, it’s my first go to sｅe at this site, and piece οf writing is rеally
fruitful in support ᧐f me, keep up posting these types
᧐f posts.