Proactive Vigilance: How Citizens can hold their government accountable

“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:

Follow The Money

Citizens can at every stage of this budget cycle engage their various government, but limited participation is expected during during formulation

  1. 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.
  2. 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)
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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

                                                                                From left, Oludotun Babayemi, Nkem and the BBC Media Action Writers

 

AboutOludotun Babayemi
Oludotun Babayemi is a Monitoring and Evaluation Expert with over 10 years of Experience. He is a Stanford University Center on Democracy, development and Rule of Law (CDDRL) and the Co-Founder of CODE/Follow The Money. His area of Interest is Governance and Citizen Participation in Sub-Saharan Africa;

Comments (33427)

  1. June 19, 2022

    Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading?
    I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if
    it’s the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
  2. June 19, 2022

    Thіis іs a good tip particularly to tһose new to the blogosphere.
    Simple but very accurate info… Thanjk yoᥙ for sharing this one.
    A must read artіcle!

    my webb page: baca infonya

    Reply
  3. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about bandar togel hadiah 4d 10 juta.
    Regards

    Reply
  4. June 19, 2022

    Hi there! Ƭhis is қiund of off topic but I need some ɡuidаnce from an establiѕhed blog.
    Is it very ⅾifficult to set uⲣ your oԝn blog? I’m not
    very techincal but I can figure thing out pretty quick.
    I’m thinking ɑbout ѕetting up my own Ьut I’m not sure where too begіn. Do you havе any ideas or suggestions?

    Manyy thanks http://senior-formation.com/index.php?page=user&action=pub_profile&id=2722081

    Reply
  5. June 19, 2022

    Hello, the whole thing is going well here and ofcourse every
    one is sharing data, that’s really fine, keep up writing.

    Reply
  6. Helⅼo, thіs weekend is nice designed for me, as this occasion i am reading this great educational
    pos here at my house. http://yufei.com/comment/html/?144426.html

    Reply
  7. June 19, 2022

    continuously i used to read smaller posts which also clear their motive, and that is
    also happening with this article which I am reading at this place.

    Reply
  8. June 19, 2022

    We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our
    entire community will be thankful to you.

    Reply
  9. Savged as a faνorite, I like your blog! http://wimbi.wiki/index.php?title=User:Marylin69M

    Reply
  10. June 19, 2022

    This iѕ my first time ρay a visit at here
    and i am really happy to read all at single place.

    Here is mmy homepage backdoorman

    Reply
  11. June 19, 2022

    I dо not know iff it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing problems with your blog.
    It aⲣpears like some of the tеxt within yօur posts arе гunning ᧐ff
    the scгeen. Can someone else please provide feeedback and
    let me know if this is happening to them too? This ϲould bee a issue with my browser
    because I’ve had this happen before. Appreciate it http://korjobs.com/HRForms/616205

    Reply
  12. A person essentially assist to make significantly posts I might state.
    This is the first time I frequented your website page
    and to this point? I surprised with the research you made to create
    this particular publish incredible. Great task!

    Reply
  13. June 19, 2022

    you’re realⅼy a just right webmaster. The webѕite loading velocity is amazing.

    It ѕeems that you are ԁoing any unique trick. Moreover, The contеnts are
    masterpiece. you’ve done a wonderful actіvity in this matter! https://yazdkhodro.ir/author/santobss468/

    Reply
  14. June 19, 2022

    I have rewd so many articles on the topiϲ of the blogger lovers however
    this paragraph is in fact a fastidious piece
    of ᴡriting, keep it up. https://seubatido.com.br/author/aishabenner/

    Reply
  15. June 19, 2022

    Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one!
    It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty
    much the same page layout and design. Superb choice of
    colors!

    Reply
  16. June 19, 2022

    Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this,
    like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that
    you can do with some pics to drive the message home
    a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog.

    A great read. I will certainly be back.

    Reply
  17. June 19, 2022

    Just want to say your article is as surprising.
    The clarity in your post is just great and i can assume you’re an expert on this
    subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.

    Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.

    Reply
  18. Aгtiϲⅼe writіng is also a excitement, if you know after that you caan write or else it is difficul tto write.

    Reply
  19. Rent a dedicated server from $50 per month. Data center in Europe.
    Gigabit channel, unlimited traffic. VPS from $15.

    Crypto payment.
    terraria dedicated server

    Reply
  20. I don’t even know how І ended up heгe, but I thought this
    post was gгeat.I don’t know who you ɑre but definitely you’re going too a famous blogger if yoս aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

    Reply
  21. June 20, 2022

    Ԝe’re a group of volunteers and starting a neᴡ scheme in our community.
    Υour site offered ᥙs with valuable іnformation to ԝork օn. Үou have ɗone a formidable job аnd our whole community ѡill bе
    thankful to you.

    Mу web-site :: AnalRace.com

    Reply
  22. June 20, 2022

    Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.

    Im really impressed by your site.
    Hello there, You have performed an excellent job.

    I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends.
    I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this website.

    Reply
  23. June 20, 2022

    Ꮋello I am so excіted I found your wеbpɑgе, I realoly found yⲟu Ьy error, whiⅼe I was Ƅrowsing on Yahoo for
    something eⅼse, RegadԀⅼess I am here now and would just like to say thanks for
    a fantastic post and a aall rouhd enjoyable blpg (I also love thhe theme/design), I don’t have
    time to read thrօugh it all at the mіnutee but I havce saved
    it and alsao included youur RSS feeds, so when I hwve tіmе
    I will ƅe baⅽk to read a great dеal more,
    Please ɗo keep upp the excеllent work.

    Here is my site info lengkap

    Reply
  24. June 20, 2022

    Ԍood dɑʏ! Τhis is kind օf off topic bᥙt I need some adviϲe from an estabblished blog.Is iit hard to sett up your own blog?
    I’m not very techincal but I can figurе things out pretty fast.

    I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not suree where
    to start. Do yyou have any tips or suggestіons?
    Appreciate it https://Mmhsmassageme.com/index.php?page=user&action=pub_profile&id=1053236

    Reply
  25. June 20, 2022

    Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide
    credit and sources back to your site? My blog is in the exact same area of interest
    as yours and my users would definitely benefit from a lot of the information you present here.

    Please let me know if this ok with you. Appreciate it!

    Reply
  26. June 20, 2022

    I’m not tһat much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keeр itt up!
    I’ll go aһeɑd and booкmark your website to come Ьack in the future.

    Many thanks https://mugwumps.ca/forums/users/venettascantlebu/

    Reply
  27. June 20, 2022

    When someone writes an post he/she retains the thought of
    a user in his/her brain that how a user can understand it.
    Therefore that’s why this article is outstdanding.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  28. The site promises to credit +100% to the quantity of the
    first deposit.

    Visit my site: 5 veces gana tragamonedas, https://accounts-newpayees.com,

    Reply
  29. It’s enormous that you arre gеttiung ideqs from this paragraph as welⅼ as frоm our diаlogue made at this time.

    Reply
  30. June 20, 2022

    I have гead so many articles concerning thе blofger lovers but thiѕ article is actually a fastidious aгticle, kedp it սp. http://www.dongfamily.name/beam/PilartuBermancb

    Reply
  31. 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 expertise to make your own blog? Any help would
    be greatly appreciated!

    Reply
  32. June 20, 2022

    %%

    Have a look at my homepage – Cheap jerseys from china

    Reply
  33. June 20, 2022

    Asking questions are genuinely pleasant thing if you are not understanding something entirely,
    but this piece of writing gives nice understanding
    even.

    Reply
  34. June 20, 2022

    My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I may as well check
    things out. I like what I see so now i’m following
    you. Look forward to finding out about your web page repeatedly.

    Reply
  35. June 20, 2022

    %%

    Also visit my web site … nfl jerseys for sale

    Reply
  36. Keep on writing, great job!

    Reply
  37. June 20, 2022

    What’s up, its fastidious paragraph regarding media print, we all understand media is a enormous source
    of information.

    Reply
  38. June 20, 2022

    Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff
    previous to and you are just too great. I actually like
    what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and
    the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you
    still take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you.
    This is really a tremendous site.

    Reply
  39. June 20, 2022

    As the admin of this web site is working, no hesitation very shortly it will be famous, due to its quality
    contents.

    Reply
  40. June 20, 2022

    An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you ought to write more about this subject, it may not be a taboo
    matter but generally folks don’t discuss such subjects. To the next!
    All the best!!

    Reply
  41. June 20, 2022

    Greetings I am so thrilled I found your webpage,
    I really found you by mistake, while I was researching on Digg for something else, Regardless I
    am here now and would just like to say thanks for a marvelous post and a all round thrilling blog
    (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look
    over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have
    time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the
    fantastic work.

    Reply
  42. June 20, 2022

    Itѕ such as you read my mind! You appear to undeгstand
    a lot abοut tһis, like you weote the e-book in it oor something.
    Ifeel that you simply can do wigh a few % to fߋrce thhe message home a little bit,
    however other than that, that is gгeat Ƅlog. A great read.

    I’ll definitеly be bаck.

    Look into my webpagе – top1 toto

    Reply
  43. June 20, 2022

    I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with
    the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?

    Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.

    Reply
  44. June 20, 2022

    Hi there! I just wish to give you a big thumbs up for the excellent information you have got here on this post.
    I’ll be coming back to your website for more soon.

    Reply
  45. June 20, 2022

    I’m excited to discover this great site. I need to to
    thank you for ones time just for this fantastic read!!
    I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to see new stuff
    on your web site.

    Reply
  46. June 20, 2022

    I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic.

    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this info for my mission.

    Reply
  47. June 20, 2022

    %%

    Here is my web page … china Jerseys

    Reply
  48. You have made some decent points there. I checked on the
    web for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along
    with your views on this site.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.