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
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to make a good article?
but what can I say? I procrastinate a lot and never seem to get anything done.
Feel free to surf to my web blog … Bookmarks
I every time used to study paragraph inn news papers but now as I
am a ser of web thus from now I am using nett for
articles or reviews, thanks to web.
수원출장마사지
THC isolate is pure THC gummies shark tank (Laurel),
with no various other cannabinoids.
I do not know whether it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing
problems with your blog. It seems like some of the text in your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening
to them too? This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before.
Many thanks
It’s actuallʏ a niⅽfe and useful piеce of information. I’m glad thɑt
yyou jսst shared this useful info wkth us. Pleɑse stɑy us
informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
My web-site; camgirls
Love the website– really user friendly and whole lots to see!
https://www.tvsudecka.pl
Awesome! Its genuinely awesome piece of writing, I have
got much clear idea regazrding from this post.
My page gay forum
I’m really loving the theme/design of your website.
Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?
A few of my blog readers have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great
in Opera. Do you have any tips to help fix this problem?
Hi my loved one! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include approximately all vital infos.
I would like to look more posts like this .
my page :: italian furniture
Awsome site! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking
your feeds also
My webpage … outdoor table
Aw, this was a really nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce
a superb article? but what can I say? I procrastinate a lot
and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
Also visit my blog post … pation furniture (Bennett)
%%
My web blog :: gambler (Tabatha)
A normal dosage is 30 mg of THC gummies quebec
in one bag of product.
You made a number of nice points there. I did a search on the subject and found a good
number of people will have the same opinion with your blog.
Here is my site – Bookmarks
Unfortunately, right now the bookmaker only offers Google android apps.
Here is my site … mostbet official website
Online poker
Very rapidly this web page will be famous among all
blogging and site-building visitors, due to it’s nice
articles or reviews
bet88
bet88
Keep on working, great job!
Feel free to visit my web page; Blast Science CBD Reviews
THC gummies are among one of the most prominent Thc gummies shark tank
items.
THC isolate: THC isolate is the pure form of THC.
My website Bookmarks
عیسی حاتمی
تخصص:کار درمانگران
شماره نظام:2914
سابقه کار: 4 سال سابقه کار
ایمیل:isa.
شماره تماس:09338257314
شماره تماس:09027147481
مهارت های حرفه ای
کاردرمانی ذهنی
65 %
کاردرمانی جسمی کودکان
92 %
کاردرمانی بزرگسالان
87 %
تماس با متخصص
He also has a weblog, but only utilizes it at night when everyone’s asleep until the youngsters find out it
wuen Stan fell asleep.
My homepage … powerline blog
It’s very effortless to find out any matter on web as compared to books, as I found this piece of writing at this web
site.
Wow! In the end I got a blog from where I know how to really get valuable information regarding my
study and knowledge.
I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with
the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare
to see a nice blog like this one these days.
Feel free to visit my site … wrinkle firming creams
And also the series of different THC gummies shark tank items.
THC isolate: THC gummies shark tank isolate is the pure type of THC.
Greetings! Very useful advice within this post! It’s the little changes that make the greatest changes.
Many thanks for sharing!
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Take care!
Where are your contact details though?
my web site :: item460716684
online porn video
Hey there I am so grateful I found your webpage, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Bing for
something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for
a fantastic post and a all round enjoyable 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 more, Please do keep up the superb job.
Here is my blog; sofa bed
It’s awesome to pay a visit this web page and reading the views of all colleagues regarding this post, while I am also eager of getting familiarity.
Also visit my web site cleaning tips
Aw, this was a really good post. Taking the time and actual effort to create
a really good article? but what can I say? I procrastinate a
lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
Feel free to surf to my web page: plastic garden furniture
Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject.
Actually Excellent. I’m also an expert in this topic therefore
I can understand your hard work.
My website item461605504
You completed various nice points there. I did a search on the issue and found the majority
of persons will agree with your blog.
My website … Lattice patio covers
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say
that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any
case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Feel free to visit my web-site: Asap cash Offer
Maka dari itu membuat bossku yang ingin main judi on line
ada baiknya agan mempergunakan dompet digital/Ewallet
yang sudah sering ada pada ponsel pada setiap orang di indonesia ini.
Terbukti juga baru-baru ini telah banyak yang melakukan deposit taruhan judi
on line dengan pakai E-money sebagai metode buat melakukan transaksi
depo judi online tidak terkecuali untuk website SLOT99 ini juga.
Why people still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe the whole thing is presented on net?
Review my web-site :: Moving A Sofa Bed
Very good blog! Do you have any hints for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my oown website soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you recommend strting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There aare so many
options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed
.. Any suggestions? Thank you!
webpage
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking the time and
actual effort to generate a good article? but what can I say?
I hesitate a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
Also visit my blog post – chaise lounge cushions
Hello There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn. That is a very
smartly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to read extra
of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
Good information. Lucky me I came across your blog
by accident (stumbleupon). I have book-marked it forr later!
web site
I loved as much as you will receive carried
out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish.
nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be
delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
My blog post … outdoor cushions
I don’t unremarkably comment but I gotta say appreciate it for
the post on this one :D.
Check out my web page: custom outdoor cushion
video viral bokep indonesiavideo bokep tante indonesiavideo
bokep indonesia cantikdownload video bokep gratis indonesia3gp video bokep indonesiastreaming video bokep indonesiasitus video bokep indonesiavideo bokep terbaru indonesiavideo bokep indonesia terbaru
THC isolate: THC gummies france isolate is the pure kind of THC.
THC isolate: THC gummies white label europe isolate is
the pure form of THC.
The boat was docked and by 9 a.m., the final vehicles had been brought off the boat.
Here is my homepage; omg blog
i0zost 21qoy7 08np m72dl g0xid3 on2mqj dqqq0 t513p fraa82 idldtz 4p1u zgbf8v
7zkr2s qvmmb g5tipv
I have been surfing on-line greater than three hours these days, yet I by no means found
any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s lovely price enough for me.
In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will likely be a lot more helpful than ever before.
My webpage … YourAnchorTexts