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. May 24, 2022

    Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to
    and you’re just too magnificent. I actually like what you have acquired
    here, really like what you are saying 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 far more from you. This is really a terrific
    site.

    Feel free to surf to my web site – harga sepatu safety

    Reply
  2. May 24, 2022

    Hey there! I simply want to offer you a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post.
    I am coming back to your web site for more soon.

    Here is my webpage: sepatu safety shoes [Ellie]

    Reply
  3. May 25, 2022

    For most recent news you have to visit world wide web and on world-wide-web I found this web site
    as a most excellent website for latest updates.

    Here is my site – jual sepatu safety

    Reply
  4. May 26, 2022

    I think this is one of the most significant info for me.
    And i’m satisfied reading your article. But should remark on few basic issues, The website style is
    perfect, the articles is in reality excellent : D. Just
    right job, cheers

    Reply
  5. May 27, 2022

    SimplyHired is a job search engine with millions of job postings from
    across the nation.

    Reply
  6. May 28, 2022

    Wow! At last I got a weblog from where I be able to genuinely obtain valuable data regarding my study
    and knowledge.

    Reply
  7. Создание и разработка сайтов в Омске

    Разработка сайтов в Омске и области на заказ, разработка
    логотипа, продвижение в yandex and
    Google, создание сайтов, разработка html верстки, разработка дизайна, верстка шаблона сайта, разработка графических программ, создание мультфильмов, разработка любых программных продуктов, написание программ для компьютеров, написание кода,
    программирование, создание любых софтов.

    Заказать сайт в Омске

    Создание интернет-магазинов в
    Омске

    Интернет магазин — это сайт, основная деятельность которого не имеет
    ничего общего с реализацией
    товаров, а, в лучшем случае, представляет собой иллюстрированную историю компании.
    Сайты подобного рода приводят в восторг многих искушенных потребителей, однако есть одно “но”.
    Такие сайты отнимают очень много времени.

    Коммерческий сайт — это совершенно иной уровень, который требует не только вложенных сил,
    но и денег. “Гиганты рынка”, не жалея средств на
    рекламу, вкладывают сотни тысяч долларов в создание и
    продвижение сайта. Сайт несет на себе всю информацию о
    производимом товаре, на сайте можно посмотреть характеристики, примеры использования, а также отзывы,
    которые подтверждают или опровергают достоинства товара.

    Для чего нужен интернет-магазин, который не имеет
    точек продаж в оффлайне? Нет потребности в сохранении
    торговых площадей, нет необходимости тратить время на бухгалтерские расчеты,
    не нужно искать место для
    офиса, для размещения рекламы и другого дополнительного персонала.

    Почему заказать сайт нужно у нас

    Посетитель заходит на сайт
    и в первую очередь знакомиться с услугами и товарами, которые предоставляет фирма.

    Но эти услуги и товары в интернете трудно найти.

    Большое количество информации “о том, как купить” отсутствует.
    В результате, потенциальный клиент уходит
    с сайта, так и не получив тех товаров и услуг, которые
    он хотел.
    Интернет-магазин — это полноценный витрина.
    Человек при подборе товара руководствуется несколькими критериями: ценой, наличием определенного товара в наличии, наличием гибкой системы скидок
    и акций. Также он ищет отзывы о фирме.

    На сайте находится раздел “Контакты”, из которого потенциальный
    покупатель может связаться с компанией,
    чтобы узнать интересующую его информацию.

    На сайте фирмы должна размещаться информация об оказываемых услугах, прайс-листы, контакты, скидки и акции, а так же контактные данные.
    Это те элементы, благодаря которым пользователь
    не уходит с интернет-магазина, а остается на сайте и покупает товар.

    Реализация любого бизнес-проекта начинается с организационных и технических вопросов.
    Именно они определяют конечный результат.
    В качестве такого этапа можно выделить разработку интернет-сайта, которая требует предварительного изучения
    особенностей бизнеса заказчика.

    Это позволяет понять, какие материалы сайта
    и его функционал будет оптимальным для использования в конкретной ситуации.

    Кроме того, при разработке сайта
    компании должны учитывать, что на его создание потребуется время.

    Разработка интернет-ресурса может занять
    от одного до трех месяцев, в
    зависимости от сложности проекта.
    Это время также необходимо для того, чтобы клиент получил возможность ознакомиться с информацией о товаре и услугах,
    предоставляемых фирмой.

    Reply
  8. May 31, 2022

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your efforts
    and I will be waiting for your next post thank you
    once again.

    Here is my website :: nfl Jerseys

    Reply
  9. June 1, 2022

    The following map could not be totally accessible
    tto a screen reader.

    Feel free to surf to my log :: 남성보도

    Reply
  10. June 3, 2022

    Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told used
    to be a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from
    you! By the way, how can we be in contact?

    Reply
  11. June 3, 2022

    maker your stamp
    maker your stamp

    Reply
  12. Венки в Омске
    венок с доставкой по Омску
    Как оформить покупку на ритуальные венки?

    Можно заказать на сайте venki55.ru или по телефону +7 (3812) 50-79-60 круглосуточно.

    Reply
  13. June 5, 2022

    Amman Arab academic world is a Jordanian scholastic institute of cutting edge education, located on Jordan Street, Mubis-Amman. Amman Arab university
    (AAU) was founded in 1997 below the forward-thinking Education Council No.

    (1476) upon 24/11/1997 as a non-profit private college circles
    specialized in graduate studies under the say Amman Arab academic world for Graduate Studies, and thereby
    became the first university in Jordan that offers graduate programs leading to Master’s Degrees, and
    Doctoral Degrees. upon 30/9/1998 the well along Education Council gave agree for the academic circles to start in force
    similar to the pure No. (1625). Academic operation started in the introduction of the Second Semester of
    the academic year 1999/2000. One of Jordanian Private Universites

    Reply
  14. June 7, 2022

    Curious why the double swoosh is just painted on and not
    two leather pieces like the other pairs. Love em, but kind of a bummer on that part.
    Goosebumps vibes on the Uncivilized hoodie.

    my blog; extremes of fashion

    Reply
  15. I enjoy what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and coverage!
    Keep up the good works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.

    Also visit my web blog :: jasa pembuatan software kasir

    Reply
  16. June 8, 2022

    %%

    Here is my site – Jerseys nfl cheap

    Reply
  17. June 9, 2022

    %%

    Also visit my website … Nfl jerseys near me

    Reply
  18. June 9, 2022

    %%

    Also visit my blog … nfl Jerseys For sale

    Reply
  19. June 9, 2022

    %%

    Also visit my homepage China Jerseys

    Reply
  20. June 9, 2022

    %%

    Have a look at my site – Cheap Nfl Jersey

    Reply
  21. June 9, 2022

    %%

    Take a look at my site – nfl Jerseys for Sale

    Reply
  22. June 9, 2022

    %%

    Feel free to visit my web blog nfl Jerseys cheap

    Reply
  23. June 9, 2022

    %%

    Here is my blog: nfl jerseys from china

    Reply
  24. June 9, 2022

    %%

    My web blog: Cheap jerseys China

    Reply
  25. June 9, 2022

    %%

    Here is my homepage :: Jerseys china

    Reply
  26. June 10, 2022

    %%

    Also visit my web page :: jerseys from china

    Reply
  27. June 10, 2022

    %%

    Look into my web site – nfl Jerseys cheap

    Reply
  28. June 10, 2022

    %%

    Check out my blog; nfl jerseys authentic

    Reply
  29. June 10, 2022

    %%

    Here is my page: wholesale Nfl Jerseys

    Reply
  30. June 10, 2022

    %%

    My web site :: cheap jerseys china

    Reply
  31. June 10, 2022

    %%

    My blog … Nfl Jerseys

    Reply
  32. June 10, 2022

    %%

    my page – cheap nfl Jersey

    Reply
  33. June 10, 2022

    %%

    My web blog :: nfl jerseys Big and Tall

    Reply
  34. June 10, 2022

    %%

    My website cheapest nfl Jerseys

    Reply
  35. June 10, 2022

    %%

    Feel free to surf to my web site: Nfl jerseys Near me

    Reply
  36. June 11, 2022

    %%

    My website nfl jerseys from china cheap [162.248.164.5]

    Reply
  37. June 11, 2022

    %%

    My blog post :: nfl jerseys big and tall

    Reply
  38. June 11, 2022

    %%

    my webpage; jerseys China

    Reply
  39. June 11, 2022

    %%

    Feel free to surf to my site – jerseys Nfl cheap

    Reply
  40. June 11, 2022

    %%

    my web site :: wholesale nfl Jerseys

    Reply
  41. June 11, 2022

    %%

    my webpage … Nfl Jerseys Stitched

    Reply
  42. June 11, 2022

    %%

    Also visit my web blog; Nfl Jerseys Authentic

    Reply
  43. June 11, 2022

    wars
    casino

    Reply
  44. Best Social Media Services 2022 – We offer: – Stripe Deposit – Automatic order processing – 24/7 Support. Learn More: https://smmsupreme.com

    Reply
  45. June 12, 2022

    I couldn’t resist commenting. Very well written!

    Reply
  46. June 13, 2022

    Greetings, I think your web site might be having web browser compatibility issues.
    Whenever I look at your web site in Safari,
    it looks fine but when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues.
    I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up!
    Aside from that, excellent website!

    Reply
1 2 3 669

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.