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
Hello, its fastidious post about media print, we all be familiar with media
is a enormous source of data.
My site: Learning toys
It’s wonderful that you are getting thoughts from this post as well as from our argument made at this place.
As the admin of this website is working, no uncertainty very
soon it will be well-known, due to its quality contents.
Since the admin of this website is working, no uncertainty very shortly it will be famous,
due to its quality contents.
Here is my site :: military transition
11 июня 2008 года — президентом РФ Дмитрием Медведевым одобрен
проект о создании русскоязычного домена.
рф.
Also visit my web blog – продвижение сайта англоязычном интернете, g.I.ua,
I all the time used to read post in news papers but now as I am
a user of internet therefore from now I am using net
for posts, thanks to web.
Just desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your
post is just excellent and i can assume you are an expert on this subject.
Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with
forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.
This blog was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I have found something which helped
me. Appreciate it!
Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform
are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of
a good platform.
Hi there to every one, as I am in fact eager of reading this web site’s post to be updated regularly.
It consists of nice stuff.
Admiring the commitment you put into your site and in depth information you offer.
It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same
out of date rehashed information. Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your
RSS feeds to my Google account.
Follow influencers to remain on prime of developments and
educate yourself.
For newest information you have to go to see world wide web and on world-wide-web I found this site as a most excellent website for hottest updates.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up!
I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. Many thanks
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful
& it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and
aid others like you aided me.
my web blog … http://Www.Uncannyvalleyforum.Com
Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop,
just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83
views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Hey there just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.
I do not 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 aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
It’s hard to find experienced people about this subject, but you seem
like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Have you ever thought about creating an ebook
or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog
centered on the same information you discuss and would really like to have
you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would
appreciate your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.
my website – defence rpl
What’s up, of course this article is genuinely nice and I have learned lot
of things from it concerning blogging. thanks.
my web-site – ดูอนิเมะ
Your style is so unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from.
Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this blog.
Saved as a favorite, I really like your website!
Stop by my web site – defence qualifications
Hello it’s me, I aam also visiting this site regularly, this web page is really good and the
users are truly shring fastidious thoughts.
Feel free to surf to my page – สล็อต ยืนยัน otp รับเครดิตฟรี
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my site thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance
my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of
your ideas!!
my web page toy store
Ahaa, its fastidious discussion about this piece of writing here at
this webpage, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here. https://deauvilleshop.com/best-kerastase-products/
Unless your lead magnet is aligned with your product, (or range of products), you’ll get people who need
your freebie giveaway, however don’t need your emails or merchandise.
That means, people who don’t need your emails won’t join! Before you
begin constructing your checklist it’s necessary to know what type of people you need on it.
So you don’t wish to spend it on the fallacious variety of visitors.
However, care should be taken to not overdo the tactic by forcefully asking
guests for info that can be prevented. That is often something desirable which is beneficial on your guests.
Seriously; you can’t imagine the super cash making
alternatives in the affiliate marketing online industry! In reality, I recently
read a report about affiliate marketing online industry rising into
$6.8 Billion in the next 5 years! The truth is; tremendous affiliate
marketers like Pat Flynn are actually incomes commissions over
$40,000 every month from affiliate marketing online. These free
e-mail advertising programs cover matters related to all industries, from organising an email marketing campaign to guaranteeing larger
ranges of buyer engagement. You must have the ability to precisely describe who your buyer avatar is before setting up your marketing,
or creating content.
Have you ever earned $765 just within 5 minutes?
trade binary options
Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this web page regularly,
this site is in fact fastidious and the viewers are actually sharing fastidious thoughts.
Feel free to surf to my website … defence courses
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious knowledge concerning unpredicted feelings.
Have a look at my webpage … ดูอนิเมะ
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to more added agreeable from you!
However, how can we communicate?
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this
blog and I’m inspired! Extremely helpful info
particularly the closing section 🙂 I maintain such
information a lot. I was looking for this certain info for a long
time. Thanks and best of luck.
Thanks to my father who shared with me about this web site, this weblog is genuinely awesome.
First of all I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you
do not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and
clear your thoughts before writing. I’ve had a tough
time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually wasted just
trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
Cheers!
Review my web-site – RPL
I’d like to find out more? I’d like to find out some additional information.
Have a look at my homepage: 카지노사이트 제휴
Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems
finding one? Thanks a lot!
My web site: teething ring
Job analysis usually involves the following steps: accumulating and recording job information; checking
the job data for accuracy; writing job descriptions primarily
based on the knowledge; using the knowledge to find out what expertise, abilities,
and data are required to perform the job; updating the information every now and then. Growing expertise: At the core
of job shadowing is its potential to transmit data and expertise from one individual to another.
On-the-job coaching is one of the earliest forms
of coaching in the world, with Masters taking on young apprentices and introducing them to their work, educating them on the strategies mandatory for them to develop into Masters themselves.
Moreover, one among the earlier forms of on-the-job training will be traced back to
the middle ages relationship as early because the 5th to 15th century.
In 9 possessions, he threw three interceptions and one touchdown, and the Seahawks scored 20 factors
with Lock as their quarterback. Overall, there are three sorts of job
opportunities out there in the White Home.
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My blog has a lot of unique 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 authorization.
Do you know any methods to help protect against content from being ripped off?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
My website: signature stamp for checks office depot
This piece of writing offers clear idea for the new users of blogging,
that actually how to do running a blog.
Simply want to say your article is as surprising.
The clearness in your post is simply great
and i could assume you’re an expert in this subject.
Well together with your permission let me to grasp
your feed to stay updated with coming near near
post. Thank you a million and please carry on the enjoyable work.
Feel free to surf to my web page – อนิเมะ
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a
weblog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
I were a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
Feel free to surf to my site … signiture stamps
Hi there, I discovered your blog by means of Google at the same time as looking for a
similar subject, your website came up, it seems great.
I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hello there, simply turned into alert to your blog via Google, and found that it’s truly
informative. I’m going to be careful for brussels.
I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Many folks might be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
Here is my web site … signiture stamps
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.
Thanks in support of sharing such a good idea, post is pleasant, thats why i have read
it completely
Also visit my website … best fiverr logo designer
Hi there, i read your blog occasionally and i own a
similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses?
If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is very much appreciated.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about site. Regards
Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your site is very useful. Many thanks for sharing!
Everything is very open with a precise description of the challenges.
It was definitely informative. Your site is very helpful.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi to all, the contents existing at this web page are
really remarkable for people experience, well, keep up the
good work fellows.