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
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness 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 increase.
I read this article completely regarding the resemblance of latest and earlier technologies,
it’s amazing article.
I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site.
I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts from
you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own website now 😉
Here is my site – Cowboy Style Boots
I every time used to read post in news papers but now as I am
a user of net thus from now I am using net for posts, thanks to web.
Here is my web blog: transactions forms and esignatures
I know this website offers quality dependent articles and
additional material, is there any other web page which gives these kinds of data in quality?
I always used to read paragraph in news papers but now as I am a
user of internet thus from now I am using net for content,
thanks to web.
Feel free to visit my webpage: Best Women’s Athletic Sneakers
Very nice article, exactly what I was looking for.
Hi there to every one, as I am actually eager of reading this blog’s post to
be updated daily. It contains pleasant data.
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice at the
same time as you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?
The account aided me a appropriate deal. I have been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vibrant clear
concept
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this website.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that
“perfect balance” between superb usability and
visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a superb job with this.
Additionally, the blog loads super fast for
me on Internet explorer. Outstanding Blog!
Wow, this post is fastidious, my sister is analyzing these kinds of things, thus I am going to inform her.
Feel free to surf to my webpage real estate CRM
Hi, its pleasant post concerning media print, we all know media is a great source of data.
my blog :: all-in-one real estate brokerage software
My partner and I stumbled over here by a different web page and
thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i am
following you. Look forward to looking into your web page again.
It’s going to be finish of mine day, however before end I am reading this wonderful
post to improve my know-how.
my page: criminal defence lawyer toronto
I like what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work
and coverage! Keep up the wonderful works guys
I’ve you guys to blogroll.
Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this website daily, this website
is in fact fastidious and the people are genuinely sharing fastidious thoughts.
We stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to
checking out your web page repeatedly.
Also visit my homepage: lawyer fraud toronto
This is the right webpage for everyone who would like to find out about this
topic. You realize a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa).
You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic which has been discussed for a long time.
Excellent stuff, just great!
Feel free to surf to my blog post; Green Color Fashion
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog website?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast
provided bright clear concept
Look into my webpage; toronto impaired driving dui lawyer
hello there and thank you for your information – I’ve certainly picked
up anything new from right here. I did however expertise
some technical points using this website, as
I experienced to reload the website many times previous to I could get it to load properly.
I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining,
but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect
your placement dwi lawyer in toronto google and
could damage your quality score if advertising
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.
Make sure you update this again very soon.
When they see that you are active on social media, they will be more more likely to belief you.
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this blog
and I’m impressed! Very helpful info specifically the remaining
part 🙂 I handle such info much. I used to be looking for this certain information for a very long time.
Thank you and good luck.
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your website in internet explorer, may chehk this?
IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a good
section of other folks will leave out your great writing due to this problem.
my web blog: first aid training
Urlaub in Dänemark, mehr als nur ein Ferienhaus
Hello to all, it’s truly a pleasant for me to visit this site, it consists of valuable Information.
Its not my first time to pay a visit this web site, i am browsing this web
site dailly and take fastidious data from here all the time.
Feel free to surf to my site :: top criminal lawyer toronto
Hi! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I
ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no
backup. Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?
He played the very first 45 minutes oof Sunday’s friendly
againset Rayo Vallecano but was the only player to be substituted off by manager Erik ten Hag at
halftime.
Feel free too surf to mmy web site: nba games today
Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog based upon on the same subjects you discuss and
would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would appreciate your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
my web site IDX websites
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 can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit,
but other than that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read.
I will certainly be back.
I have read so many content regarding the blogger lovers except
this paragraph is actually a good article, keep it up.
my webpage: Best Women’s Athletic Sneakers
Wow, awesome weblog format! How long have you ever been running a
blog for? you made running a blog glance easy. The entire look of your
website is excellent, let alone the content!
My site … Women’s vacation clothes
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff
previous to and you’re just extremely excellent.
I really like what you have acquired here, certainly 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’t wait to read far more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This post
posted at this web page is actually fastidious.
I liкe looking through a post that can make people think.
Also, thanks ffoг allowing for me to ϲomment!
I every time emailed this blog post page to all my contacts,
for the reason that if like to read it after that my links will too.
My coder is trying to convince 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 a number of 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 transfer all my wordpress posts into it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Very nice blog post. I definitely appreciate this site. Keep it up!
Amazing! Its actually amazing paragraph, I have got much clear idea about from this post.
my page; Shop Complete Outfits
база ссылок для хрумера
Вы занимаетесь продвижением сайтов?
Тогда вам к нам. [url=https://goo.su/4zRx]Наша группа в телеграмме[/url].У нас вы можете
выбрать любую нужную для вашей работы
базу для прогонов Xrumer и GSA, allsubmitter по разной ценовой категории.база сайтов
на wordpress
Amazing! Its in fact awesome piece of writing, I have got much clear idea concerning from this paragraph.
Have a look at my web page :: Cowboy Style Boots
Thankfulness to my father who stated to me on the topic of this
web site, this website is in fact awesome.
The whole point of a smartwatch is to point out you the most important information you need as you need it, and Apple Watch would not
disappoint in that regard.
Keep on writing, great job!
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added-
checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the
same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service?
Thanks a lot!
Aw, this was a very good post. Taking the time
and actual effort to make a superb article… but what can I
say… I put things off a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
Wow, superb weblog layout! How long have you
been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The whole look of your website is
fantastic, let alone the content material!
Also visit my web site :: all-in-one real estate brokerage software
Link exchange is nothing else however it is simply placing the other person’s web site link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar in support of you.
Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m
impressed! Very useful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot.
I was looking for this particular info for a very long time.
Thank you and good luck.
Here is my webpage – real estate CRM
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the structure of your
blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it
better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2
pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?