Proactive Vigilance: How Citizens can hold their government accountable
Oludotun Babayemi
18 July 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
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get set up?
I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I’m not very internet savvy so I’m not 100% certain. Any recommendations or advice
would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
If some one wishes to be updated with most recent technologies after that
he must be pay a visit this web site and be up to date all the time.
I don’t even know the way I ended up here, however
I believed this publish was once great. I don’t understand who you’re
but certainly you are going to a famous blogger should you are not already.
Cheers!
Hi there exceptional website! Does running a blog like this require a lot
of work? I’ve no understanding of coding but I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
Anyway, if you have any suggestions or techniques for new blog owners
please share. I understand this is off subject nevertheless I simply wanted to ask.
Kudos!
This unwanted sound enjoys the company of people who are high in stress and who are not managing their stress properly.
Furthermore, stress also depletes the homeopathic
level of success of various remedies. So it’s very important to manage stress well.
The only true way to live a life free from the awful effects
of Tinnitus is to learn and employ the techniques that
create the lifestyle changes that are required to be rid of Tinnitus for good.
I value the data on your website. Thanks a lot.
message89735
My brother suggested I would possibly like this
blog. He used to be entirely right. This post actually made my day.
You cann’t imagine just how so much time I had spent for this info!
Thanks!
People who obsessively wash their hands to combat germs can end up with dermatitis.
For people witnessing these actions, it’s often viewed as an exercise in pointlessness but to the sufferer
it can feel like these actions are of the utmost importance.
Oftentimes the sufferer understands how odd these compulsions are and can end up attempting to hide it because of its peculiar
nature. If you are dealing with OCD you have come to the right place because
I have dealt with various forms of OCD and have a wealth of knowledge
to share with you. Enjoy the information I have for you below.
Wow, this paragraph is good, my younger sister is analyzing these things, so I am going to inform her.
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after looking at a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
Anyways, I’m definitely happy I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking
back often!
Hearrt Diseae ɑnd Can CBD Help Us Better Manage Stress?
Oil – Benefits and Research to Maintain Cardiovascular Health
I like what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the superb works guys I’ve added you guys to my blogroll.
Internet earnings – attract new clients to binary options and get profit up to 50% (from $100-$50,000 per month).
Payouts every week. Read more here.
affiliate
Can 4 Ways To Take CBD You Haven’T Tried Yet be Helpful When Antibiotic Medications are Rejecred Ԁuring Treatment
Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Thank you, However I am experiencing difficulties with
your RSS. I don’t understand why I can’t join it. Is there anybody
else getting similar RSS problems? Anyone that knows the
solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to
get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but
I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share.
Appreciate it!
buy viagra online
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your web site.
Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
A small number of my blog readers have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
Do you have any ideas to help fix this problem?
Good way of telling, and good article to take facts regarding
my presentation focus, which i am going to deliver in university.
Right on my man!
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be
on the web the simplest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while
people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the
whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Уou’ve made some good points there. I looked on the web
for more invo about the iѕsue annd found most people will
goo aⅼong with your views on this site.
My family all the time say that I am killing my time here at web, however I know I am getting familiarity all the time by reading thes fastidious posts.
I got this web page from my friend who informed me
about this web page and now this time I am visiting this web
site and reading very informative content at this time.
buy viagra online
Your mode of describing the whole thing in this article is in fact good,
all can without difficulty be aware of it, Thanks a lot.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital
to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently
quickly.
My life has been one roller coaster ride. One day I’m up and down as swiftly and easily like the Ferris wheel.
And the next, I’m relentlessly spinning around like the carousel.
Between my job as a Dentist in Irvine and my role as
the official ‘shock absorber’ of the family, I barely have time
to keep my life in check.
When I first started searching for a teeth whitening product that works, I
came across millions of websites promoting products that were too overpriced.
I was scared to make a purchase and have the product not work for me.
With hundreds of whitening solutions I was overwhelmed and couldn’t make a decision.
Excellent way of describing, and fastidious
paragraph to get facts regarding my presentation subject, which
i am going to convey in school.
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day.
It’s always interesting to read articles from other
authors and use something from other web sites.
I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the
internet viewers, its really really pleasant post on building
up new website.
penis enlargement
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s both educative and amusing,
and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The issue is something not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
Now i’m very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something concerning
this.
Can you tell us more about this? I’d love to find out some additional information.
Ԝhen someone writes an post he/she keeps tthe
plan of a user in his/her brain that how a user can Ьe aᴡare of it.
Thus that’s whyy thіs article is great. Thankѕ!
My page :: drainage services horsham
No matter if some one searches for his required thing,
thus he/she wants to be available that in detail, thus that thing is maintained over here.
One of the best ways to discover the best dental care is
to inquire about this to your family and friends.
You can get detailed information from people who have already
visited this place and know about all the facilities
that they provide and about the proficiency of the staff working there.
If you are trying to whitening you teeth from home I recommend you to try
a teeth whitening gel kit online. There is
a discount and most now even offer a free trial. Try it for two weeks and see what results you
get. Make sure you follow the instructions and
use the application daily. It’s cheaper and effective as the whitening tools use by dentist.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “return the favor”.I am attempting to find things to improve
my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and reporting!
Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to
my blogroll.
Custom dissertation ghostwriter site usa https://connectathon-results.ihe.net/open_is_url.php?url=https://bestessayservicereview.com/writepaperfor-me-review/
Greetings! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew
where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as
yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!
Hｅy! This iis my first comment herе so I jսst wanteԁ to give a quіck shout ouut and saay I genuinely enjoy reaɗing your
blog pоstѕ. Can you suggest any other bloցs/websites/foｒums that deal with the same subjectѕ?
Thаnks!
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it’s truly informative. I am going
to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually realize what you’re talking about!
Bookmarked. Please also talk over with my site =).
We could have a hyperlink change arrangement between us
Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share views.
Great website, stick with it!
Thanks for any other magnificent article.
Where else may anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing?
I have a presentation next week, and I am at the search for such information.
Great delivery. Solid arguments. Keep up the great work.
free Windows 7 key
Giving up smoking and alcohol also helps in lowering anxiety since they come with substances which cause anxiety.
Regular exercise assists in reducing normal, daily tensions;
the ones which may develop into a full blown anxiety disorder.
She is also the author of the award-winning parenting
book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting which shows parents how to raise children to bring out their natural strengths
and talents.
The computer and mobile telephone exam portions test your capability to analysis.
Feel free to visit my web blog – Charlotte