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
Hey there excellent website! Does running a blog such as this require a lot of work?
I’ve virtually no understanding of coding however I had
been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, if you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off topic nevertheless I simply wanted
to ask. Cheers!
Also visit my homepage … data security
Passion the website– really user pleasant and great
deals to see!
link
Hello, I desire to subscribe for this web
site to obtain newest updates, therefore where can i do it please help.
Feel free to visit my web-site :: омг омг ссылка
Legal representatives also require legal representatives.
My blog post: different types of attorneys and what they do
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday.
It’s always interesting to read through articles from other writers and use a little something from other web sites.
Take a look at my blog :: Apostille service near me
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with
my facebook group? There’s a lot of folks that I think
would really appreciate your content. Please let me know.
Thank you
Attorneys likewise require attorneys.
Stop by my website – types of lawyers and salaries canada
For those who have been mesmerized by The Haunting of Hill House,
then Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of Stephen King novel Gerald’s Recreation is a
should-watch. Rebecca Corridor makes her directorial debut in magnificent trend with her adaptation of Nella
Larsen’s 1929 novel Passing. The Sea Beast joins Netflix’s
assortment of stellar family-pleasant animated adventures.
From Netflix’s impressive stash of worldwide films comes Spanish sci-fi horror The Platform.
A psychological thriller that dives deep into the surreal.
This distinctive thriller flashing pink with the threat of know-how is an excellent function to hit play on. Callum Turner
and beauty Van Patten star as Danny and Ellie, a sincere good kid and a
streetwise girl who try to carry out a shady deal for just
a little money. Spike Lee’s fierce conflict drama follows a bunch of aging Vietnam Struggle veterans who return to
the nation in search of the stays of their squad chief — as well as buried treasure.
I’m Considering of Ending Things undoubtedly will not be for everybody,
but it connects you to the frustrations of the younger woman (Jessie Buckley) at its heart,
who grapples with breaking off her seven-week-relationship with her
boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons).
Whats up very cool web site!! Guy .. Excellent
.. Superb .. I will bookmark your site and
take the feeds additionally? I am glad to find a lot
of helpful info here within the submit, we need work out more
strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. .
. . . .
It’s difficult to find educated people about this topic, however,
you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
My website; bulk sms provider
A basic strategy to start becoming enviromentally friendly energy
band wagon is by your electric company. Energy firms often times
have internet site equipment that allow you to see the volume of power
you management and make use of your electrical power usage.
You might want to see if a selection of their applications offers you get energy-successful lighting lamps and appliances.
Excellent way of describing, and nice post to get data
about my presentation subject matter, which i am going to convey in academy.
My webpage: mega.sb
еще не за метрах наслаждение: плюсы, минусы ну опасности при покупке небольших строений
I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting!
Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll.
I think it will improve the value of my web site :).
Here is my homepage :: mobile billing
Havіng rad this I believed it wɑѕ extremely informative.
I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this content tߋgether.
I once again find myself spending a lot of timｅ bоth reading and posting comments.
But so what, itt was still worthwhile!
My bⅼog … Home Business accounting
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject.
I love all the points you made.
Hеlpful info. Ϝortunate me I found yoսr site unintentionally, and I’m surprisｅԀ why this accident did not came abօut in adｖance!
I Ьookmarked it.
After exploring a few of the blog posts on your site, I truly like your technique
of writing a blog. I saved it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future.
Please visit my web site too and let me know how you feel.
Estate Preparation Lawyer.
Look into my web-site: types of lawyers and their salaries in canada
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have developed
some nice practices and we are looking to exchange methods with others,
be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after looking at some of the posts I realized it’s
new to me. Anyways, I’m certainly delighted I came across it
and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
Feel free to visit my page: roofing company Pinehurst
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Opera.
I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
The design and style look great though! Hope you get the
issue fixed soon. Cheers
My blog: Bookmarks
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I?ll appreciate if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
my web site: cell phone
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog.
You have some really great articles and I think I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write
some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please shoot me an email if interested. Thank you!
My blog … omgomgomg5j4yrr4mjdv3h5c5xfvxtqqs2in7smi65mjps7wvkmqmtqd
Have you ever thought about creating an e-book or guest
authoring on other websites? I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share
some stories/information. I know my audience would value your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free
to shoot me an email.
Also visit my website … advertise with sms
Federal government Attorney.
My homepage – highest paid types of lawyers in canada
I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and
reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys
to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website :
).
Here is my web-site :: business sms marketing
Below’s a summary of one of the most usual different types of lawyers and their salaries in canada of legal representatives.
This post is truly a fastidious one it helps new web users, who are wishing for blogging.
My web site – Keto Health Control Reviews
If some one desires expert view regarding running a blog after that i recommend him/her to pay a quick visit this weblog, Keep up the fastidious job.
my blog post: online texting
Ahaa, its good discussion on the topic of this paragraph at this place at this blog, I have read
all that, so now me also commenting at this place.
Hello I am so happy I found your weblog, I really found you
by accident, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a remarkable post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the
theme/design), I don?t have time to look over 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 deleted text messages cheat more, Please do keep up the great jo.
A typical dwelling for the holidays film with a twist: Kristen Stewart and
Mackenzie Davis star as a lesbian couple who have to cover their relationship
from an uptight household. In a standard year, we would say the
holidays are an ideal time to kick back,
calm down and catch up on all of the movies and Tv you
missed in the course of the yr. You possibly can disable notifications at any time in your settings menu.
Doom Patrol: It was simple to ignore this present on DC’s streaming service, but now that
it’s easily accessible, I’d suggest it to anyone who desires a contemporary spin on superheroes.
Indie theaters: Make certain to go to your local theater’s web site, as a result of they’re
seemingly streaming films to observe over the internet. It is yet one more collection from Michelle and Robert King, the creators of the nice Wife and Good Struggle, two other exhibits it
is best to undoubtedly watch.
You are a very smart individual!
my blog short message peer-to-peer
payday loan
I used to be able to find good information from your blog articles.
Marco Ducati, a stout, muscular webcam model and adult film star, got
his begin camming at a Flirt4Free studio in Los Angeles eleven years in the past.
Clinton Cox, founding father of Havoc Media and Cam Con, a “model convention” centered on webcamming and other types of social media, acquired his start in the early days of
commercialized stay streaming video. Ringley wasn’t the first topic of an experiment in webcamming.
At the time, massive webcamming studios have
been being built across the US, Latin America and Eastern Europe, churning out 24-hour streams from sometimes
hundreds of models per day. My Free Cams President Leo
Radvinsky has stated the positioning serves more
than 100,000 fashions and 5 million customers worldwide.
Signing up for providers like My Free Cams, Flirt4Free, or Chaturbate, which are essentially platforms like Facebook or Snapchat, is simple.
As Marie gives me a tour of their dwelling, which
she proudly says she’s decorated nearly exclusively with furniture
from Ross, I can’t assist but be reminded of Jennicam, and the way easy her at all
times-on streaming experiment now seems.
Federal government Legal representative.
Here is my site – types of lawyers and salaries
کاردرمانی چیست؟ همه چیز درباره کاردرمانی
کارشناس این رشته که کاردرمانگر نام دارد در زمینه
های فیزیولوژی، آناتومی و روانشناسی
دانش و توانایی های لازم را کسب کرده و می تواند به افراد در داشتن
زندگی مستقل تر کمک کند.
مهم ترین هدف از کاردرمانی رسیدن به حداکثر استقلال فردی و کاهش وابستگی به اطرافیان و در نهایت داشتن
زندگی بهتر است. تحقیقات زیادی وجود
دارند که نشان میدهند افراد بیمار علاقهمند هستند که از درد خود بیشتر بدانند.
پس از تعیین اهداف، کاردرمانگر شما طرحی برای دستیابی به آنها تعیین میکند.
طرح حداقل شامل مواردی از قبیل فواصل و تعداد جلسات درمان، مدت زمان بهرهمندی از خدمات
کاردرمانی و استراتژیهایی است که
از آنها برای دستیابی به اهداف اعلام شده استفاده خواهید کرد.
از طریق فرایند مصاحبه و ارزیابی، کاردرمانگر شما لیستی از مشکلاتی را
که به اعتقاد وی میتواند در رفع
آنها به شما کمک کند، شناسایی خواهد کرد.
فلسفهای که توسط بنیانگذاران این رشته معرفی شده بیشتر
تحت تأثیر مکاتب رومانتیسم، عمل
گرایی و انسان گراییست که همگی از ایدئولوژیهای مهم قرن گذشته بودند.
دکتر مایر یکی از رهبران روانپزشکی در آمریکا
بود و سرپرست دپارتمان جدید روانپزشکی در دانشگاه
جان هاپکینز را بر عهده داشت.
ما کاردرمانگران این روال های
مهم روزانه را «فعالیت های زندگی روزمره» می
نامیم. هرگونه درد را به کاردرمانگر گزارش دهید تا
از عادی بودن آن اطمینان حاصل کنید.
پروسه ارزیابی مخصوصا در حیطه بیماری های کودکان ممکن است گاهی زمانبر باشد اما باعث انتخاب روش مناسبتر برای درمان و افزایش تاثیرگذاری
روش انتخابی میشود.
What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have
discovered It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads.
I am hoping to contribute & help other users like its helped Apostille authentication near me.
Good job.
Ꮋｅllo, і thіnk tһat і sаw you visited my web site so і came tо ?go baϲk tһe prefer?.Ӏ am tгying to find issues to enhance mү web site!I guess its adequate to ᥙse some of
ʏоur concepts!!
You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write.
The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to
say how they believe. Always go after your
heart.
Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger,
and I was wondering your situation; we have developed some nice methods and we are looking to
trade techniques with others, be sure to shoot me an email if interested.
Stop by my blog post; Matthias
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really
well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more
of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
You actually 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 complex and extremely broad
for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
Also visit my website aggravated assault lawyer arizona
I like the helpful info you provide for your articles.
I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again right here frequently.
I’m fairly sure I will learn many new stuff proper right here!
Good luck for the following!
Feel free to surf to my web page … Notary near me
Hi, 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 remarks?
If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.
Visit my web site :: Buy Liquidation Pallets online
Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other
sites? I have a blog centered on the same information you
discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would enjoy your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
Feel free to visit my webpage – bulk sms service
Attorneys likewise require legal representatives.
Feel free to surf to my blog post: types of lawyers in canada
(Bradly)