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
Quality content is the secret to be a focus for the viewers to visit the web page, that’s what this web site is providing.
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this kind of house .
Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site.
Studying this information So i’m satisfied to exhibit that I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed.
I such a lot certainly will make certain to don?t forget this website
and provides it a look on a relentless basis.
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if
that would be okay. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look
forward to new updates.
My web-site … Articles
I the efforts you have put in this, appreciate it for all the
great articles.
It’s appropriate time to make a few plans for the future and it’s time to be
happy. I’ve read this put up and if I may just I wish to
suggest you some fascinating issues or tips.
Perhaps you could write subsequent articles relating to this article.
I desire to learn even more things about it!
I ϳust coᥙldn’t depart your web site befօгe suggesting that І really enjoyed tthe usual informatiοn ɑn individual provide fߋr
your guests? Ӏs gоing to be agаin steadily to investigate cross-check neԝ posts.
Hi! Thiis is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog.
Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I ccan figure things ouut pretty fast.
I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to start.
Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thanks
site
If some one wants expert view regarding blogging and site-building afterward
i suggest him/her to go to see this weblog, Keep up the
pleasant work.
Feel free to visit my web-site … plumbing contractor
I couldn’t resist commenting. Well written!
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me
out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
Currently it sounds like Movable Type is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Also visit my blog post; http://www.daguerrepick.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=21627
I just could not depart your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide
on your guests? Is gonna be back often to check
up on new posts.
Feel free to visit my homepage … top Plumber pros
Well I sincerely enjoyed studying it. This
tip procured by you is very constructive for correct planning.
Here is my web site :: addiction cure
Hi there! I just would like to give you a big thumbs up for the great info you have right here on this post.
I’ll be returning to your website for more soon.
I blog frequently and I seriously thank you for your information. The
article has really peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about
once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; many
of us have created some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange techniques with other folks, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.
Have a look at my web site – ASAP Cash Offer™
Good write-up. I definitely love this site. Thanks!
Do you have any video of that? I’d want to find out more details.
Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to
get there! Many thanks
In Baccarat Vase banque the position of banker is far more permanent
compared to Chemin de fer.
It’s difficult to find experienced people on this topic, however,
you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Hey there! I’ve been reading your website for a while now
and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you
a shout out from Houston Tx! Just wanted to tell you
keep up the good job!
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it
from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements
would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your design. Kudos
Hi there I am so delighted I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Bing for something
else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a tremendous post and a all
round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t
have time to read it all at the minute but I have book-marked
it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up
the superb work.
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff
previous to and you are just too magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the
way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise.
I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.
My web page free pdf march calendar
This is a topic which is close to my heart… Best wishes!
Where are your contact details though?
Also visit my site ovo slot 777
Wow! At last I got a weblog from where I can in fact
take valuable facts concerning my study and knowledge.
Howdy are using WordPress for your blog platform?
I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my
own. Do you need any html coding knowledge to make your
own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
Thanks for the good writeup. It if truth be told used to be a
entertainment account it. Look complicated to far introduced agreeable from you!
However, how could we communicate?
I’m curious to find out what blog system
you’re utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest
site and I would like to find something more secure. Do you
have any solutions?
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have keep in mind your stuff previous to and
you are just extremely wonderful. I really like what you
have obtained here, certainly like what you are saying and the way wherein you assert it.
You are making it enjoyable and you still take care of to stay it
wise. I can’t wait to learn much more from you. This is actually a great web site.
Have a look at my page; https://antoniocarletti.it/?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&task=user&id=64805
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your
efforts and I will be waiting for yojr further post than you once again.
web page
That can received depends uppn the reel design select by the playter – 243
methods to wwin gets 15 free spins; 1024 ways to win getrs 10 free spins; and 3125 methods to
winn gets 5 free spins slot games.Today’s report is based on analyses of 3,096 Massachusetts residents who completed tthe SEIGMA baseline research of self-reported previous-year playing
behaviorrs in Wave 1 in 2013/2014 and Wave 2 in 2015.
All they have to do is enter promo code 250MATCH when coming into their banking details.
Simply desire to say your article is as astounding.
The clarity on your post is just nice and that i could
think you’re an expert in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to take hold of your
feed to keep up to date with imminent post. Thank you a million and please keep
up the enjoyable work.
Feel free to surf to my blog post … 구글상위노출프로그램
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Thank you! Where
are your contact details though?
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a weblog web site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast
provided vibrant clear idea
Thirty-4 years after disaster movie producer Irwin Allen inverted a cruise ship in the identify
of entertainment, Wolfgang Petersen — who knows a bit about boat-themed cinema
— has upended one other Poseidon and drowned hundreds with $160
million worth of watery effects. Years of experience and careful statement assist the shipboard supervisor
understand the anatomy of the ship and the most effective course of action for each mission. Watching free on-line films
have evolved as the most affordable and greatest way of watching movies.
Primarily based on what form of valuables you’ll be shipping you’ll have totally different insurance selections.
In climatic terms, the beyond 10,000 years have been extraordinarily steady.
The supply giant may have restricted flexibility in decreasing its prices on drivers within the months forward.
It’s possible you’ll hear them partying as they cross by.
Positioned at Fallon, Nevada, this Navy Air
Station is the main air-to-air and air-to-ground training facility for the service.
The Naval Assist Facility Anacostia was
in service from 1918 to 2010 before it was merged with Bolling Air
Pressure Base to become the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling base.
Nice post. I learn something new and challenging
oon sites I stumblupon every day. It will alwayss bee useful
to read articles from other wriiters and practice a ligtle something from other web
sites.
web page
With the opening of free spins no deposit UK 2019 websites poker tournaments have truly taken off inn popularity additionally.
On such review portals portal, you get sincere critiques and first-hand info straight from the horse’s mouth.
Then you will clearly want to be sure that the cellular
casino sites is licensed and regulated earlier than making
any kind of deposit.
I have read so many articles or reviews about the blogger lovers however
this article is actually a good article, keep it up.
Hello there, I found your blog via Google while searching for a similar
topic, your site got here up, it appears to be like great.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, just changed into alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it is really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.
I’ll be grateful for those who continue this in future.
Numerous other folks will probably be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on chanel wallet saks. Regards
say thanks to a lot for your site it assists a whole lot.
link
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people about this subject, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
My web blog :: 에볼루션 한국인딜러
Somebody iin the Disney Channel ccontent material department is goijng too hear
about that, I’m betting.
Feel frere to visit myy web blog: bloog (Rosalind)
As I alluded to earlier, my canine generally is a little bit of pain relating to taking their supplements.
We’re as stunned as you are about this one. Observe your canine
appetite once the proportion of food change has made.
I get pleasure from, lead to I found just what I was having a look for.
You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye
My web-site: Adult drug rehab
I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this info for my mission.
It’s amazing for me to have a web page, which is beneficial for my
experience. thanks admin
%%
Feel free to surf to my blog: poker – Holycrosslutheran-emma-Mo.com,
Our mannequin allows the seller to cancel at any
time any reservation made earlier, through which case the holder of
the reservation incurs a utility loss amounting to a fraction of her worth for the reservation and may receive a cancellation charge from the vendor.
The XO laptop computer permits children, parents, grandparents and cousins to show
one another. All you want is some ingenuity and a laptop computer or smartphone.
First, you may have to unwrap the motherboard and the microprocessor chip.
With the support of cloud/edge computing infrastructure, we deploy the proposed network to work as an clever dialogue system for electrical customer support.
To stop error accumulation brought on by modeling two subtasks independently, we suggest to jointly model each subtasks in an finish-to-finish
neural community. We propose and study a easy model for auctioning such advert slot
reservations in advance. An intensive computational research exhibit the
efficacy of the proposed method and gives insights in to the
advantages of strategic time slot management.
We propose a 2-stage stochastic programming formulation for the
design of a priori supply routes and time slot assignments
and a pattern average approximation algorithm for
its solution.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say fantastic blog!