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
What’s up to all, the contents present at this web site are actually awesome
for people knowledge, well, keep up the good work fellows.
my site; aplikasi
Sustain the awesome work !! Lovin’ it!
link
At this time I am going to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast
coming over again to read more news.
Feel free to visit my web-site Bookmarks
Hey I am so happy I found your blog, I really found you
by mistake, while I was browsing on Digg 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 moment 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 lot more,
Please do keep up the fantastic b.
My web-site … renters insurance
I every time used to study post in news papers but now as I am a user
of net so from now I am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after going through many of
the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!
Also visit my web-site: auto insurance kent washington
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am genuinely pleassant to read all at alone place.
Also visit my blog :: renters insurance
Hey very interesting blog!
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your
blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing too your feed and I
hope you write again soon!
Stunning story there. What occurred after? Good luck!
Feel free to visit my webpage … renters insurance
I am in fact glad to read this webpage posts which carries lots of useful information, thanks for
providing these information.
Stop by my web-site – tuscaloosa insurance company
Thanks a lot! It a great site!
link
I am really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
A few of my blog visitors have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?
Visit my webpage – renters insurance
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but
I find this topic to be really something which I
believe I might by no means understand. It kind of feels too complicated
and very large for me. I am looking forward in your subsequent publish, I’ll attempt to get the
cling of it!
Also visit my site :: Bookmarks
Emmerich’s new film blends science-fiction epics likeID4with
some of his well-liked environmental thrillers such asThe Day After Tomorrowand2012.
Great post. I’m facing a few of these issues as well..
Feel free to visit my web blog kent washington
That’s very good point
It’s nearly impossible to find well-informed
people on this subject, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
my blog renters insurance
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be
on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries
that they plainly don’t knpw about. Yoou managed to hit the nail upon the
top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal.
Willl likely be back to get more. Thanks
I don’t know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else experiencing issues with your site.
It appears like some of the text in your posts are
running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know
if this is happening to them as well? This could be a issue with
my internet browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Thanks
My blog; tuscaloosa alabama
Thanks to my father who shared with me regarding this weblog,
this webpage is genuinely awesome.
Feel free to surf to my webpage … home insurance in tuscaloosa
Quality rticles or reviews is the secret to be a focus foor the viewers
too pay a quick visit the website, that’s wyat
this website is providing.
What’s up friends, how is everything, and what you wish for
to say concerning this post, in my view its genuinely awesome in support of me.
Here is my blog: auto insurance kent washington
Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog
platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems 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.
Feel free to surf to my homepage; home insurance
Estate Planning Legal Representative.
Feel free to visit my site :: Bookmarks
Right here’s a review Types Of Lawyers In Demand Canada the most usual kinds of attorneys.
Government Attorney.
my homepage :: Bookmarks
Hi there friends, its fantastic article about teachingand completely explained, keep it up all the
time.
My blog post :: auto insurance kent washington
Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome,
great written and come with almost all significant infos.
I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Feel free to visit my website comprehensive insurance
If you desire to increase your knowledge simply
keep visiting this web site and be updated with the most up-to-date news posted here.
Look at enabling your kids to perform Dragon Ball Super Super Hero on consoles instead of a Personal computer.
Consoles provide you with a whole lot more control of privacy,
safety adjustments, and articles because they can avoid these limitations online.
They could have a far more safeguarded encounter on the unit.
Have you ever considered publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss
and would really like to have you share some stories/information.
I know my audience would appreciate your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
Here is my web-site … tuscaloosa insurance company
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
I every time spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s posts every day
along with a mug of coffee.
Here is my blog post; text flirting
Hi there, its good post on the topic of media print, we all know media is a fantastic source of
information.
Also visit my web-site: auto insurance kent washington
I think the admin of this site is actually working hard in favor of his
website, for the reason that here every information is
quality based material.
I truly love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you make this web site yourself?
Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own website and would like to find out where you got this from or exactly what
the theme is named. Many thanks!
I read this post completely regarding the resemblance of latest and earlier technologies,
it’s remarkable article.
My site :: aplikasi
Hello 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 figured I’d post to let you know.
The design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Many thanks
Also visit my website; Bookmarks
Hurrah, that’s what I was searching for, what a stuff!
present here at this web site, thanks admin of this web site.
Here is my web blog – renters insurance
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I
find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give
something back and help others like you helped
me.
Also visit my homepage; aplikasi
Appreciation to my father who stated to me on the topic of this weblog, this webpage is actually awesome.
my blog – hoover insurance
Great article. I am experiencing many of these issues as well..
My webpage … tuscaloosa insurance company
ماساژ درمانی و کمر درد
ماساژ با افزایش ترشح دوپامین باعث میشود فرد احساس و انگیزه برای انجام کارها و حرکت به سمت اهداف و آرزوهایش پیدا
کند. ماساژ میتواند سطح سروتونین را افزایش دهد که منجر به احساس خوب و
افکار مثبت میشود. بیمار در
صورت شدید بودن کمر درد باید حتماً پیش از شروع ماساژ درمانی با پزشک متخصص در مورد مناسب بودن این روش
مشورت کند. اصطکاک عرضی درمانی برای بافتهای همبند عرضی است که مستقیماً
با انگشتان دست انجام میشود.
در تکنیک اصطکاک عرضی یک فشار کم و زیاد شونده (نوسانی)
عمود بر جهت طولی فیبرهای بافت اعمال میشود.
Incredible quest there. What happened after?
Good luck!
My web blog – tuscaloosa insurance company
video bokep indonesia 2022video bokep subtitle
indonesiastreaming video bokep indonesiadownload
video bokep indonesia terbaruvideo bokep indonesia 2021video
bokep indonesia terbaruvideo gratis bokep indonesiavideo indonesia bokepvideo bokep subtitle indonesia
I was just telling my friend about that.
I?m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that?s both educative
and interesting, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail
on the head. The problem is something that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy I came across this during my search for something regarding this.
Also visit my web-site … Business sms
Hello I am so happy I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Google for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks for
a remarkable post and a all round entertaining
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
go through it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have
time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the fantastic jo.
Feel free to visit my web page :: kent insurance company
Outstanding story there. What occurred after?
Good luck!
Feel free to surf to my blog post: tuscaloosa insurance company