Proactive Vigilance: How Citizens can hold their government accountable
Oludotun Babayemi
18 July 2016
- +234 09291 7545
- info@connecteddevelopment.org
“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
Ahaa, its good conversation on the topic of this post at this place at this weblog, I have read all that, so now me
also commenting at this place.
I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your site.
It appears like some of the written text within your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if
this is happening to them too? This might be a problem with my web browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Thanks
My blog post – Restore Sms
It’s amazing to visit this web page and reading the views
of all colleagues concerning this paragraph, while
I am also zealous of getting knowledge.
If some one wants expert view about blogging and site-building afterward i advise him/her to pay a visit
this weblog, Keep up the good work.
Have a look at my web page – Uses of Bulk sms
Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re
just too great. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart.
I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a tremendous web site.
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
You actually make it appear really easy with your presentation but I to find this topic to be really something
which I believe I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complex and very large for
me. I’m looking forward on your next post, I’ll attempt to get the grasp of it!
Visit my web blog :: Bookmarks – Elise,
Right on my man!
What i do not realoize is in truth how you’re not really much more neatly-appreciated than you ight be right now.
You are so intelligent. Yoou understand therefore significantly inn terms
of this topic, mase me in my opinion believe it from so many
numerrous angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated
until it iis one thing to do with Lady gaga! Yoour individual stuffs outstanding.
All the time take caare of it up!
평택 화양지구 이편한세상
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about
this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit,
but other than that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read.
I’ll certainly be back.
Hello! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know
how to make your site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my iphone4.
I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might
be able to fix this problem. If you have any suggestions,
please share. Appreciate it!
my webpage Bookmarks
Right here’s an introduction types of lawyers and salaries uk the most usual kinds of legal representatives.
Because the admin of this web page is working, no uncertainty very shortly it will be well-known, due to its feature contents.
Your style is really unique in comparison to other people I have read stuff from.
Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just
book mark this site.
At this time it sounds like Drupal is the top blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
my web blog Send Free Sms Text Messages
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you can be a
great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will often come back in the future.
I want to encourage that you continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly
articles I might state. That is the first time
I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular
post extraordinary. Fantastic task!
My web page … Text mesaging
I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering issues with your site.
It appears like some of the written text on your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please
comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
This could be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
Thanks
Also visit my blog – item470513198
This site really has all the info I needed concerning this subject
and didn?t know who to ask.
Feel free to surf to my web-site – social media glossary
Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring
on other sites? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I
know my readers would appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely
interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
My webpage undelete text messages
I was just telling my friend about that.
If some one wants expert view concerning blogging
then i advise him/her to go to see this weblog, Keep up the nice job.
Here is my web page Bulk Email Marketing Campaign
%%
my blog post :: cbd vape oil Cartridges
Right on my man!
Saved as a favorite, I like your website!
Активац1xbet – Букмекерская компания. Обзор и отзывы о 1xbet. Ставки на футбол, теннис, бокс. Вход на 1 Икс Бетя приветственного бонуса также доступна на странице пополнения.
I like what you guys are up also. Such clever work and reporting!
Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated
you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website :).
Look into my site: sms marketing tools
Someone necessarily assist to make critically posts I would state.
That is the very first time I frequented your website page and
up to now? I surprised with the analysis you made to
make this particular post amazing. Fantastic
task!
my page: birthday persons
Right on my man!
It’s really a nice and useful piece of info. I’m satisfied
that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this.
Thank you for sharing.
Also visit my blog :: sms vendor – Aisha –
I am curious to find out what blog platform you’re using?
I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest blog and I’d like
to find something more secure. Do you have any solutions?
After I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added-
checkbox and now each time a comment is added I
get four emails with the exact same comment. Is there
an easy method you are able to remove me from that service?
Many thanks!
There are civil as well as criminal trial types of lawyers and what they do.
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for https://www.tipcrewblog.com/truck-driver-jobs-in-usa/
Someone essentially help to make severely articles I might state.
That is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now?
I amazed with the analysis you made to make this particular
publish amazing. Great process!
Here is my blog post; item470498340
My family every time say that I am killing my time here
at net, however I know I am getting knowledge all the time by reading thes good articles.
hello there and thank you for your information ?
I?ve definitely picked up anything new from right here.
I did however expertise some technical issues using this web site, since I experienced
to reload the web site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load correctly.
I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining,
but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage
your high quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I?m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out
for a lot more of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update
this again very soon..
My website club management software
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for magnificent information I was looking for this info for my mission.
hello there and thank you for your information ?
I?ve certainly picked up something new from right here.
I did however expertise a few technical issues using this
website, as I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to I could get it to load properly.
I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will
very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if sms Advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Well I?m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more
of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again very soon..
Good website! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written.
I’m wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made.
I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick!
Have a great day!
Here is my web page – picture messaging
If some one wants expert view about blogging and site-building then i propose him/her to go to see this web site, Keep
up the pleasant work.
my site – texting gateway api
Amazing things here. I am very glad to peer your post. Thanks a lot and
I am having a look forward to touch you. Will you please drop me
a e-mail?
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Finding the time and
actual effort to make a great article? but what can I say?
I hesitate a whole lot and don’t seem to
get anything done.
My blog True Body Keto Reviews
Thanks for another informative blog. Where else may just I get that type
of info written in such an ideal manner? I’ve a project that I am simply now
operating on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.
Hi there to every one, the contents present at this web page are actually remarkable for people experience, well,
keep up the good work fellows.
Awesome blog! Do you have any helpful hints for
aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a
little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform
like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so
many options out there that I’m totally confused ..
Any recommendations? Cheers!
You are a very capable person!
my site valentines day sms
THC isolate: thc Gummies White Label europe isolate is the pure type of THC.
I love what you guys tend to be up too. This
kind of clever work and exposure! Keep up the good
works guys I’ve added you guys to our blogroll.
Thanks in support of sharing such a pleasant idea, article is pleasant,
thats why i have read it entirely