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
Truly interesting….look frontward to returning.
https://vjudge.net/user/gradtatisig44
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but
other than that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read.
I’ll certainly be back.
My programmer 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 WordPress on a variety
of websites for about a year and am anxious 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 kind of help would
be really appreciated!
It’s going to be end of mine day, however before end I am reading this impressive article to increase my experience.
Many thanks, this site is really beneficial.
https://www.icheckmovies.com/profiles/brothandoorra47
What’s up to every one, it’s really a fastidious for me to go
to see this web page, it includes valuable Information.
You’ve gotten among the best webpages.
link
thank a lot for your internet site it helps a whole lot.
link
Your knowledge is very unique.
https://i-sen.pl/Uzytkownik-nireapome71–16666
Quite a few 3rd planet countries have noticed an influx in lottery centered game titles recently.
In particular, lottery primarily based online games appear
to be extremely popular in Laos with all around twenty% from the population taking part
in some sort of lottery. The principle draw with lottery based mostly game titles is the fact
that it will allow contributors to gamble with quite compact sums of cash.
During this web site put up we will investigate what is supposed by a Laos lottery and make clear how it may make you prosperous.
How a lottery performs
Most individuals have only a obscure comprehension of lotteries.
Though A lot of people participate in lotteries,
most You should not totally understand how they work. In this particular post, We’re going to take a look at how a lottery is effective and supply some samples of lottery
final results. Carry on looking through To find out
more!
Tips on how to legally Engage in Laos lottery on the web
The Lao lottery marketplace is an enjoyable one that has skyrocketed recently.
The overwhelming majority, 70% of all, in the
populace of Laos Participate in the lottery, which can be considered to get the highest for each capita
total on earth. The sector generated more than $300 million in 2018.
On this site post, We will consider the background of the lottery, the legality of the sport, and the way to Engage in the
lottery on the internet.
Concerning the Laos Lottery
If you want to grasp more about the Laos lottery match, you need to
know that this video game originated in Cambodia, Which is the reason first we’d like to know the
background of the sport.
The lottery game originated in Cambodia, nevertheless the Laos lottery game
got its commence in 1991, in the event the Laos authorities decided to generate their unique lottery activity for Laos.
The Laos federal government determined they wished to bring in the earnings
that it could produce back to Laos. So, they produced a different
lottery video game in which there wouldn’t be any Worldwide or offshore participation.
The sport was developed and it is run solely through the Laos authorities.
The Laos lottery activity started in 1991 and is particularly controlled via the Ministry
of Finance and Overall economy of the government of
Laos.
The Laos lottery game has 2 key types of lottery game titles, which can be the Every day Lottery as well as the High quality
Everyday Lottery. These game titles are carried out everyday at 11:00 AM, which can be 6:00 AM GMT, and five:00 PM GMT respectively.
The Quality Every day Lottery is the most worthwhile lottery of your Laos lottery
activity. The Premium Daily Lottery is held each and every two months and draws 1,two hundred,000
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought
this post was great. I do not know who you are but
certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
certainly like your website but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to inform the truth then again I will certainly come again again.
I think the admin of this web site is genuinely working hard for his website, because here every material is quality based data.
Great looking website. Assume you did a great
deal of your very own coding.
message7035
Hurrah! Finally I got a web site from where I can genuinely obtain valuable facts concerning
my study and knowledge.
Hi there, its good piece of writing about media print, we all be familiar
with media is a fantastic source of information.
Find Outt Which Is thhe Best CBD Product for You – Wһy Uѕe CBD Oil?
Mу web page :: And How To Treat Them Effectively
Many thanks extremely valuable. Will certainly share site
with my pals.
link
Good site you’ve gotten in here.
link
I am truly glad to glance at this website posts which consists of
lots of valuable information, thanks for providing these information.
I read this paragraph completely on the topic of the resemblance of most recent and preceding technologies, it’s amazing article.
Beneath are some of the most extravagant products on the registry that ring in above the AUD $50,000 mark.
my homepage: Baccarat
I think that is among the so much important information for me.
And i’m happy reading your article. But should remark on some general issues, The web site taste is great, the articles is actually excellent : D.
Good process, cheers
Fine way of telling, and fastidious paragraph to obtain facts concerning my presentation subject matter, which i am going to present in college.
Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post!
It’s the little changes which will make the biggest
changes. Thanks for sharing!
This is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very accurate info… Many thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!
I just like the helpful info you provide to your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at once more here regularly.
I’m moderately certain I will be informed many new stuff right here!
Good luck for the following!
Here is my homepage website
I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also visit this webpage on regular
basis to take updated from most up-to-date news.
I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a
blog that’s equally educative and entertaining, and without a
doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something too few men and women are speaking intelligently
about. I am very happy that I came across this in my search for something relating to this.
Feel free to visit my web blog: website
Keep this going please, great job! สล็อตแตกง่าย
PT. Sicurezza Solutions Indonesia provides security solutions with integrating varieties
of security products which can be adjusted to many needs from
Access Control, Automatic Door, CCTV, Video Intercom, Biometric Time & Attendance, etc.
Experience selling and installing security systems for all kinds of buildings such as private house, apartment, hotel, resort, office, government building,
bank, factory, etc.
I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, but I
never discovered any fascinating article like yours. It’s lovely value enough for me.
Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good
content as you probably did, the web will probably be much more
helpful than ever before.
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a colleague who has been doing a
little homework on this. And he actually bought me dinner because I stumbled upon it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for
the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this topic here on your web page.
Hello there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to
give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy
reading through your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the
same topics? Thanks a lot!
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your
intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to
read?
Valuable info. Fortunate me I discovered your site by accident,
and I am stunned why this twist of fate didn’t took place in advance!
I bookmarked it.
It’s genuinely very complicated in this busy life to listen news on TV, so
I only use world wide web for that purpose, and get the latest news.
Hey very nice blog!
Hi! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in exchanging links or
maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My site goes over a lot of the
same topics as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you happen to be interested feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!
Feel free to surf to my site – website
With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of
plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a
lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it
up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any solutions
to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Wow, amazing weblog structure! How long have you
been blogging for? you make running a blog glance easy. The whole look of your website is excellent, as
smartly as the content material!
We are a gaggle of volunteers and opening
a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with useful info to work on. You’ve done
an impressive process and our whole group will probably be grateful to
you.
Hello colleagues, its impressive piece of writing regarding educationand entirely
explained, keep it up all the time.
I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
Feel free to surf to my page – website
Hello there, You have done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to
my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited
from this site.
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was
super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what
I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any tips and hints for rookie blog writers?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
I was recommended this website through my cousin. I am not positive
whether or not this put up is written by way of him as nobody else understand such distinctive about my difficulty.
You are wonderful! Thank you!
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link
to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol
Hi tһere! This article couldn’t be writyten mufh better!
Lookіng at this article reminds me of my previojs roߋmmate!
He continually kept preaching about this. I am going
to forward thjs podt to him. Fairly certain he’s going to
have a good read. Thank ｙou foor ѕharing!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Віал. Regards