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
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks,
However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS.
I don’t know why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar RSS issues?
Anybody who knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanks!!
Do you have any video of that? I’d like to find
out some additional information.
Also visit my blog post; toronto insurance fraud lawyer
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had
written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new
to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for first-time blog writers?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
Very nice article, totally what I needed.
Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of information on your page.
Im really impressed by your blog.
Hey there, You have performed an incredible job.
I’ll certainly digg it and in my opinion suggest to my friends.
I am sure they will be benefited from this site.
I’m not sure why but this site is loading extremely slow for me.
Is anyone else having this issue or is it a
issue on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
my web site: all-in-one real estate brokerage software
Hi there colleagues, how is everything, and what you
would like to say regarding this piece of writing, in my view
its really amazing in support of me.
You’ll have to use a customized picture of an actual picture for your promoting endeavors.
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate
your efforts and I am waiting for your further write ups thank
you once again.
Also visit my webpage :: toronto criminal defence lawyer
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if
it can survive a thirty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
An imprｅssive share! I’ve just forwarded this ontо a coᴡorҝer who hһas been ԁoing a litte
research on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast due to the
fact that I stumbled upon it for him… lol.
So let me гeword this…. Thanks forr tthe meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending time tο talk about this matter here on you weƅb site.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about black satta king.
Regards
My coder is trying to persuade me to move
to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on several websites for about a year
and am nervous about switching to another platform. I have heard very good things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into it?
Any kind of help would be really appreciated!
Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your
post is simply nice and i could assume you’re an expert on this
subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up
to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the
gratifying work.
نمونه گیری آزمایشگاه در منزل مشهد
با توجه به شرایط امروزی جامعه و شیوع ویروس های واگیر دار و ترافیک ها و
شلوغی و خطرات راه ها و جاده ها، حامیان سلامت رضوی برای رفاه حال شما عزیزان و
بزرگواران و جلوگیری از شیوع بیشتر ویروس
کرونا تمامی خدمات نمونه گیری های آزمایشگاه را در
منزل انجام میدهد.
حامیان سلامت رضوی نمونه گیری چه
آزمایش هایی را در منزل میتواند بگیرد؟
مرکز تخصصی پزشکی و پرستاری حامیان سلامت رضوی
میتواند ازمایش های خون شناسی ، بیوشیمیایی ، ایمونولوژی ، میکروبیولوژی و کرونا (نمونه
گیری کویید) را در منزل انجام دهد
.
خون شناسی شامل چه آزمایش هایی است ؟
نمونه گیری آزمایشگاه در منزل مشهد
نمونه گیری آزمایشگاه در منزل
مشهد
با توجه به علائم و نشانه
های بیماری ، پزشک یک سری آزمایشاتی را برای شما نسخه میکند تا بتواند بهتر بیماری را تشخیص دهد.
خون شناسی شامل آزمایشات :
CBC , FBC , HB , PLT , PT , Clostrol , WBC , PRO , LDL , HDL , HCT , CR .
BUN
قبل از انجام آزمایش خون باید ناشتا باشم ؟
همه انواع آزمایش خون به ناشتا بودن نیازی ندارند.
و برخی از این ازمایش ها نیاز دارند بیمار ناشتا یا اصطلاحا N.P.O باشد.آزمایش هایی که نیاز به ناشتایی دارند شامل موارد زیر است
:
آزمایش قند خون
کلسترول
عملکرد کلیه
لیپوپروتئین
لیپوپروتئین های کم چگال و پرچگال
میزان اری گلیسرید
عملکرد کلیه
This design is wicked! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and
more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
my page – criminal defence lawyer toronto
This is my first time visit at here and i am genuinely pleassant to
read all at one place.
great post, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite specialists of this sector do
not understand this. You should continue your writing.
I am sure, you have a huge readers’ base already!
Have a look at my homepage :: all-in-one real estate brokerage software
Hello! I knkw this іs kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d
ask. Would you be interestеd in trading linls or maybe ցuеst authoring ɑ blօg article or vice-versa?
My website goees over a lot of the same subjects aas yours and I feel
we could geeatly benmefit from each otһer.
If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
I look forwaｒɗ to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by
tһe waʏ!
Awesome things here. I’m very satisfied to look
your post. Thanks so much and I’m looking forward
to contact you. Will you please drop me a e-mail?
my blog post … all-in-one real estate brokerage software
These are truly fantastic ideas in concerning blogging. You have touched some
good points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared
to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top transactions forms and esignatures defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a signal.
Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Very nice article. I certainly appreciate this site.
Keep it up!
My blog; Purses Under 100
Good – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website.
I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related
information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found
what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual.
Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme
. a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task.
Also visit my web blog; Penis Pills
Wow! At last I got a web site from where I be able to truly get valuable facts concerning my study and knowledge.
Feel free to visit my webpage; 10รับ100
I will right away clutch your rss as I can not to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Kindly let me recognise in order that I could subscribe.
Thanks.
Here is my blog :: Fashionable Jackets
Hello there! I just wish to give you a big thumbs up for the excellent
info you have got right here on this post. I’ll be coming back to your web site Best Shoes for Morton’s Neuroma more soon.
Hi there! Someone in mʏ Myspace ɡroup sһared this website with us so I came to checқ it out.
I’m definiteⅼy enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and
wiⅼl bе tweеting this to mү followers! Excellent blog and excellent deѕign and stүⅼe.
I all the time used to read post in news papers but now as I am a user of internet
therefore from now I am using net for articles, thanks to web.
Here is my page: top dui lawyer toronto
Useful information. Fortunate me I discovered your web site unintentionally, and I am surprised why this twist of fate didn’t happened in advance!
I bookmarked it.
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard
on. Any tips?
My webpage Best Women’s Athletic Sneakers
This paragraph is really a good one it helps new
net users, who are wishing in favor of blogging.
my page: all-in-one real estate brokerage software
Hey! I realize this is sort of off-topic however I needed to ask.
Does operating a well-established website like yours require
a massive amount work? I’m completely new to writing a blog however I do write in my diary every day.
I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and feelings online.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners.
Appreciate it!
Here is my web blog – сборка кухни спб
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
I am really loving the theme/design of your blog.
Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems?
A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
Do you have any suggestions to help fix this problem?
of course like your website however you have to take a look
at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it
very bothersome to tell the reality then again I will surely come back again.
Also visit my page Fashion Leggings
Thanks for sharing such a nice opinion, paragraph is fastidious,
thats why i have read it fully
Thanks designed for sharing such a good thinking, article is fastidious, thats why i have
read it entirely
Research paper on career in technology http://deepimpact.us/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=papershelps.org
penis enlargement
Hello there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will definitely digg it and personally suggest to
my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.
My page … Asics Gel Nimbus 17
This post is in fact a nice one it assists new internet visitors, who are wishing in favor
of blogging.
Right on my man!
Hi there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with
us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the
information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Fantastic blog and terrific design.
Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your website in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer,
it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, wonderful blog!
Look into my homepage; all-in-one real estate brokerage software
Good information. Lucky me I found your website by accident (stumbleupon).
I have bookmarked it for later!
Texas77 situs judi online terbaik yang memberikan berbagai macam kemudahan beserta promo yang bagus untuk para pemainnya, di lengkapi dengan costomer service handal yang dapat memecahkan semua kendala pemainnya.
Menyediakan berbagai macam metode pembayaran seperti Melalui bank – bank lokal, ewallet maupun pulsa. Texas77 merupakan agen judi deposit pulsa tanpa potongan, dan mempunyai bonus newmember slot.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website
thus i got here to return the prefer?.I am attempting to in finding issues to enhance my site!I suppose its adequate
to make use of some of your concepts!!
Also visit my homepage – tax fraud lawyer toronto
Excellent, what a weblog it is! This webpage presents helpful facts to us,
keep it up.
Hi! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok.
I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.