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 like this website because so much useful material on here
:D.
Feel free to surf to my site corrugated metal
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe that this amazing site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably
be back again to read more, thanks for the info!
Feel free to visit my web page … peluang investasi
I am truly glad to read this webpage posts which
carries tons of helpful information, thanks for providing these kinds of statistics.
Feel free to visit my website :: situs slot deposit Shopeepay
It supplies natural vitamins, minerals and healthy protein.
my web blog: Bookmarks
This sometimes materializes in the type of desires.
My web site … item467777376
Это касается как количества дисциплин,
так и платежных инструментов.
my site сделать ставку (1Win-Sports.com)
I do not know if it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing issues with your website.
It appears like some of the written text within your content are
running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this
is happening to them too? This might be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
Thanks
Hello, this weekend is fastidious designed for me, since this moment i am reading
this wonderful informative post here at my house.
Also visit my webpage led chandelier
Generally I don’t read post on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up very forced me
to try and do so! Your writing style has been amazed me.
Thanks, very great article.
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded
this onto a co-worker who has been doing a little homework on this.
And he actually ordered me lunch due to the fact that
I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this….
Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending
the time to discuss this matter here on your web
page.
Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no
backup. Do you have any methods to prevent hackers?
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with useful info to work on. You
have performed a formidable activity and our entire community
can be thankful to you.
Feel free to visit my site hustlers university
After lοoking into a fеw of the articles on your site, I seriously appreciate youг way of blogging.
I book-marked it to my bookmаrk website lst and will
Ьe checking back in the near future. Please visit my website too aand let me know how youu feel.
Greetings! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading through
your blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with
the same topics? Many thanks!
I’m very pleased to discover this site. I want to to thank you for your time for this particularly fantastic read!!
I definitely loved every little bit of it
and I have you book marked to look at new stuff in your
web site.
Hey there! I’ve been following your website for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas Texas!
Just wanted to say keep up the good work!
Awesome information over again! Thanks a lot;)
Also visit my homepage :: starngth of steel
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic.
I must spend a while studying more or figuring out more.
Thanks for fantastic information I used to be on the lookout for this info
for my mission.
Take a look at my web page; Exterior Painting
It is actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us.
Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Here is my site – 토토사이트
Hello, every time i used to check weblog posts here in the early hours
in the daylight, as i enjoy to find out more and more.
Take a look at my web blog Bookmarks
Speak with folks when waiting around in collection. There’s
no damage in being nice you never know what you’ll come upon. Don’t drive the
sales about them however, keep on your profits pitch to truly feel them out, and then accept it after that.
Valuable info. Fortunate me I found your web site by chance, and I’m surprised why this coincidence did not took place
earlier! I bookmarked it.
My site :: png march calendar
Полный перечень услуг, предоставляемых по
заграничному паспорту или водительскому удостоверению, можно уточнить в Call-центре.
My webpage пин ап
Awesome story once again. Thank you:)
Also visit my web-site – Bookmarks
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different page and thought I should check
things out. I like what I see so now i am following
you. Look forward to finding out about your web page repeatedly.
Visit my homepage A片
Hi there to all, it’s actually a good for me to visit this web site, it consists of valuable Information.
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; many of
us have created some nice practices and we are looking to
swap methods with others, please shoot me an email if interested.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz respond as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know
where u got this from. kudos
Heya exceptional website! Does running a blog like this take a massive amount work?
I’ve very little knowledge of coding however I had been hoping to start
my own blog soon. Anyhow, if you have any suggestions or tips
for new blog owners please share. I know this is off topic
however I just had to ask. Cheers!
my webpage: 토토사이트
This often shows up in the form of dreams.
my blog :: Bookmarks
Hey there, You have performed a fantastic
job. I will certainly digg it and individually suggest to my friends.
I’m confident they will be benefited from this website.
my page … Bookmarks
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that.
And he just bought me lunch since I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that:
Thanks for lunch!
Review my web page – metal buildings
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit
of this webpage; this blog includes remarkable and in fact good stuff designed
for visitors.
my webpage – ELDT Training
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your
article seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this
is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I
thought I’d post to let you know. The style and design look great though!
Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Many thanks
my web-site; HOA
Your means of telling everything in this piece of writing is in fact nice, all be able
to easily understand it, Thanks a lot.
Moringa oleifera has couple of well-known adverse effects.
My site :: top 10 new jersey plastic surgeons
%%
Here is my blog post … best Night cream
I simply couldn’t leave your website before suggesting that I
extremely loved the usual info an individual provide to your guests?
Is going to be back often in order to inspect new posts
Review my blog post :: 메이저놀이터
This occasionally manifests in the kind dream of making love with a stranger desires.
I do believe all the ideas you have offered for your post.
They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are very brief for beginners.
May just you please prolong them a bit from next time?
Thanks for the post.
My web blog – 2023 free printable calendar with weeks
It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the longer term and
it is time to be happy. I have learn this submit and if I
may I wish to recommend you some interesting things or tips.
Perhaps you can write subsequent articles regarding this article.
I wish to read even more things about it!
my web-site … large sheds
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other
websites? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would love to
have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would appreciate your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
My blog … hustlers university
%%
Take a look at my website: Slots [https://canopyclimbersmusic.com/]
Hey! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site
mobile friendly? My website looks weird when viewing from my iphone.
I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix
this issue. If you have any suggestions, please share.
Thanks!
Feel free to visit my homepage :: manchester-apps.co.uk
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was
doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile So let me
rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!
Here is my web page … Strong Metal
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so
I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
Do you have any recommendations for beginner blog writers?
I’d definitely appreciate it.
I have read so many articles about the blogger lovers
however this post is genuinely a good piece of writing,
keep it up.
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who
was doing a little research on that. And he just
bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that:
Thanks for lunch!
my web page … strong steel
Hi there exceptional blog! Does running a blog such
as this take a lot of work? I’ve virtually no understanding of programming however I
was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, if you have any ideas or tips for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off subject but I simply needed to ask.
Many thanks!