Proactive Vigilance: How Citizens can hold their government accountable
Oludotun Babayemi
July 18, 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
What’s up colleagues, its enormous post on the topic of cultureand entirely explained, keep it up all the time.
Look at my page … site web du bitcoin trader
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Thanks for sharing your info. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next
write ups thanks once again.
Hi, yup this post is truly pleasant and I have learned lot of things from it on the topic of blogging.
thanks.
Review my web site – cours bitcoin
A regular dose is 30 mg of THC gummies france in one
bag of item.
This paragraph will assist the internet users for building up new
weblog or even a weblog from start to end.
Look at my blog post; bitcoin smarter
Great info. Lucky me I found your site by accident (stumbleupon).
I have bookmarked it for later!
THC isolate: THC isolate is the pure form of THC.
my homepage: item465668355
Thanks for another informative website. The place else may just I get
that type of info written in such a perfect means?
I’ve a project that I’m just now running on, and I’ve been at the look out for such information.
Here is my webpage … Bookmarks
THC gummies quebec isolate:
THC isolate is the pure kind of THC.
THC isolate: THC isolate is the pure form of THC.
my web page :: item463760662
THC isolate: THC isolate is the pure type of
thc gummies Montreal.
Truly no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of afterward its up to other
people that they will help, so here it happens.
Look at my site: Prédiction du prix de l’Ethereum
Cover letter samples with resume http://questionsweb.in/index.php?qa=user&qa_1=beautycloud91
This article will help the internet users for setting up new blog or even a
weblog from start to end.
Also visit my site :: acheter doge
1. Do some research study on various THC gummies for anxiety items.
I want to to thank you for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every bit of it.
I have you book marked to look at new things you post…
Educating next-generation nurses for leadership and service in the worldwide neighborhood.
Have a look at my web page; Mpklm.com.my
Yatta sikiş pornosu izle giyinsene lezbiyenmankenler porno aç turkce full sarhoş uyuyan hd pornolar amatör kizlik bozma videolari.
Amatör Porno; Porno kilotlu çoraplı arkadan gizli.
It’s remarkable for me to have a web page, which is useful in favor
of my experience. thanks admin
Fine way of telling, and fastidious article to take facts
about my presentation focus, which i am going to convey in university.
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted
at this site is truly pleasant.
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through
Google, and found that it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out
for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future.
Many people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
my homepage: bitcoin profit app
My relatives every time say that I am wasting my time here at web, however I
know I am getting familiarity every day by reading such nice content.
Thanks , I have just been searching for information about this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve came upon till now.
But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure concerning the supply?
My homepage … bitcoin circuit avis
payday loan
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
Thanks a lot!
Sports betting, football betting, cricket betting, euroleague football betting, aviator games, aviator games money
– first deposit bonus up to 500 euros.Sign up bonus
Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some guidance
from an established blog. Is it tough to set up your own blog?
I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure
where to start. Do you have any points or suggestions?
With thanks
What’s up, all is going well here and ofcourse every
one is sharing information, that’s genuinely fine,
keep up writing.
my site … ethereum prediction
buy viagra online
Terrific Web page, Preserve the very good work. Appreciate it.
click http://hn0756.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=163902&do=profile
Heey very interesting blog!
buy viagra online
THC gummies private label europe
isolate: THC isolate is the pure form of THC.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find
this matter to be really something that I think
I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the
hang of it!
My homepage: comment acheter bitcoin era
It’s really very complicated in this full of activity life to listen news on TV, thus I simply use the web for
that reason, and take the hottest information.
1. Do some study on different THC gummies montreal products.
No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, thus he/she needs to be available that in detail, therefore that
thing is maintained over here.
I’vе read some good stuff herｅ. Definitely prіce bookmarking for reviѕiting.
I surprise how mucһ effort you place to make thjs kind oof maցnificent informative web site.
Hmm is anyone else having 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 responses would be greatly appreciated.
Also visit my blog post site web bitcoin circuit
Great work! That is the type of info that should be shared across the internet.
Shame on the search engines for not positioning
this publish upper! Come on over and discuss with my web site .
Thank you =)
Review my webpage comment acheter des crypto-monnaies en ligne
I quite like reading a post that can make people think.
Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
THC isolate is pure thc Gummies white label europe, without any other
cannabinoids.
A typical dosage is 30 mg of THC gummies shark tank in one
bag of item.
Hello wouldd you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing?
I’ve losded your bblog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
Can you suggest a good hosting provider at a fair price? Thanks, I appreciate
it!
web site
What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness
of valuable know-how regarding unexpected feelings.
From early on, the concept was for Red and the opposite sea monsters to be strikingly giant.
It’s hard to find educated people on this subject, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Ӏ аm impressed ԝith thіs web site, ｒeally I ɑm ɑ fan.