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
Fantastic post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more
on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a
little bit more. Thank you!
After looking into a number of the articles on your site, I honestly like your way of blogging.
I added it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future.
Please check out my web site too and tell me what you think.
my site; LeadsBase
Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts
and I will be waiting for your further write ups thanks once again.
Here is my homepage … Small Business
Good way of explaining, and fastidious post to take data
on the topic of my presentation topic, which i am going to convey iin college.
Hi there i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting
anyplace, when i read this article i thought i could also create comment due to this good
article.
I value the data on your web sites. Thnx!
link
THC gummies are just one of one of the most popular THC gummies for anxiety
items.
We Pay Cash For Homes In Colorado
Hi there would you mind letting me know which web host you’re using?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most.
Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a honest price?
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with
my myspace group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
You can certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write.
The sector hopes for more passionate writers
such as you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
Always go after your heart.
THC gummies are among one of the most popular THC gummies montreal items.
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue along with your website in web explorer, might check this?
IE still is the marketplace leader and a big element of other people will leave out your magnificent writing due to
this problem.
I just couldn’t go away your site prior to suggesting that I actually loved the usual info a person supply for
your guests? Is going to be again continuously to check up on new posts
buy viagra online
I’m really impressed along with your writing talents and also with the format in your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is
uncommon to peer a great weblog like this one nowadays..
Some genuinely nice stuff on this web site, I it.
Also visit my page; item469274561
%%
Here is my page bet (Kirby)
Slot JDB merupakan pendatang baru dari negeri tirai bambu yang siap memberikan anda pengalaman bermain slot tradisional dengan kemampuan bermain secara online.
Memberikan fitur informasi terupdate yang cocok bagi pemain untuk mengatur strategi bermain. Selain itu, setiap pemain yang
bergabung juga akan bisa mendapatkan jaminan lainnya termasuk jaminan permainan yang bebas dari kecurangan. Sebagai situs slot terpercaya di Indonesia, LVSLOT884 juga tentunya menawarkan banyak sekali pilihan pembuktian. Bermain game slot gacor deposit pulsa tanpa potongan di LVSLOT88 menjanjikan kamu semua kemenangan yang terus menerus.
Someone essentially help to make seriously posts I would state.
This is the very first time I frequented your website page
and so far? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular submit
amazing. Fantastic process!
Here is my web-site; buy now pay later furniture
It was the last leg of thhe ship’s world tour and International 86 before she sails for her dwelling port of Portsmouth.
Also visit my blpog post … simonparkes.org blog
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after looking at some of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Regardless, I’m definitely delighted I discovered
it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!
my web-site soul food restaurant
THC gummies are among the most prominent THC gummies private label europe items.
And also the series of different THC items.
Here is my website item467575804
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that
I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I will
try to get the hang of it!
My web site marketing melbourne fl
Utterly іndited sսƅject matｅrial, Rеally enjoyеd reading through.
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you actually realize what you are speaking approximately!
Bookmarked. Please additionally talk over with my website =).
We will have a link trade agreement among us
Hello there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted
to give a quick shout out and tell you I really enjoy reading your
posts. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums
that deal with the same topics? Thanks!
What’s up, this weekend is fastidious in support of me,
as this moment i am reading this fantastic educational
piece of writing here at my residence.
The price of Iranian hydrogen peroxide
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked
on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and
from now on every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same
comment. Is there an easy method you can remove me from that service?
Appreciate it!
Feel free to visit my web site; 바카라검증사이트
Terrific work! This is the type of info that are supposed to be shared around the internet.
Disgrace on Google for not positioning this put up upper!
Come on over and seek advice from my site . Thanks =)
My web site :: social media marketing melbourne florida
Excellent beat ! I wish rent to own appliances apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site?
The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted
of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
Hi all, here every one is sharing such knowledge, so it’s pleasant to read this weblog,
and I used to pay a visit this weblog daily.
A regular dose is 30 mg of THC in one bag of item.
Feel free to visit my web blog … Bookmarks
Everything is very open with a very clear description of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your website is
very useful. Many thanks for sharing!
A typical dose is 30 mg of THC in one bag of item.
My homepage; item465670845
I love reading through an article that can make men and women think.
Also, many thanks for permitting me rent to own furniture comment!
Hi there, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i
am as well happy rent to own appliances share my know-how here with mates.
Hello there, I discovered your website by way of Google
whilst looking for a similar topic, your web site got here up, it appears good.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply turned into alert to your weblog thru Google, and found that it is truly informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful in case you proceed this
in future. Numerous other folks will probably be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Link exchange is nothing else however it is just placing
the other person’s web site link on your page at proper place and other person will also do same in favor of you.
Feel free to surf to my web page – cardiovascular health
%%
my web page – games (https://Umbriagolfcenter.com)
I have been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never
found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me.
Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you
did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
Also visit my page … payday loan
Hey! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say
I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your
posts! Carry on the great work!
Also visit my web site: payday loans
All jittery energy and charisma on stage, Riley’s post-punk
star is a troubled soul who jerks from elation to despair off it.
Look at my web page; Barb
Wonderful work! This is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared around the net.
Shame on Google for no longer positioning this post
higher! Come on over and talk over with my site . Thank you =)
Also visit my website – payday loan
Hello, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one
and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam comments?
If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any assistance
is very much appreciated.
My page … 먹튀검증
%%
Take a look at my web page; Casino [https://y-nottouring.com]
%%
Look into my web blog :: Body Moisturiser With Spf
Hi, I read your blogs on a regular basis. Your story-telling
style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!