A two-day capacity building seminar organized by Human Development Initiatives (HDI), to equip local government officials and other stakeholders on the need to participate in budget monitoring at various local councils took place recently in Lagos. Justice Ilevbare, reports that the event provided a platform for participants to engage in stimulating discussions on accountability and improved governance at the grass root.
The need to ensure government at all levels (particularly the grass root) are held accountable for activities within their jurisdiction necessitated the recent 2-day capacity building seminar organised by the Human Development Initiatives (HDI) in Lagos.
The seminar, which is the second in the series, focused on budgeting at the local government level which is the first step of planning needed for any feasible change.
Participants comprising of coordinators of watch group, local government budget officers and head of departments, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and media practitioners, were trained on how to get involved fully in order to ensure transparency and accountability.
Judging by its closeness to the people, the grass-root government ought to be top-notch and effective. Thus the seminar was borne out of the need to put an end to citizens’ naivety to budget process.
The opening day had Professor Bolaji Owosanoye, Executive Director, HDI explain the reason behind the project to participants. In his remarks, he emphasised the prominent position of local government in ensuring social services are delivered to the people at the grass- root level. He equally called on citizens to be more involved in the budgeting process.
Taking participants on the tools and laws for citizens’ participation in the budget process was Mr. Victor Abel of the Centre of Social Justice. In expository manner, participants were taught on the need to involve actively in budget formation.
Speaking on the theme ‘Understanding the laws and tools for citizens’ participation in the budget process’ Abel stated “that the exclusion of the people from the budgetary process of the county will not only lead to a short term apathy, but a near long run revolution that will cripple the entire economy.”
He explained that laws and tools guiding the budget process and citizens’ right to participate in budget process are contained in:
- The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- The Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007
- The Public Procurement Act 2007
- The Financial Year Act 2004
- The Freedom of Information Act 2011
- Finance (Control and Management) Act, Cap F.26, Laws of the Federation 2004
- Senate Rules and House Standing Orders
He therefore called on all citizens to take active part in budget formation in order to promote accountability among leaders.
“To the citizens, when you stand for nothing, you fall for everything. You must stand-up for accountability and transparency. Hold your government to account; the pursuit to a better living. It is our right as human: Fight for it. Citizens also need to show interest and zeal in finding out information and participating in the process,” he added.
Day two of the seminar had a stimulating moment as participants got a load down of the essentials of the Freedom of Information Act. Taking the session was Deputy Director, Media Rights Agenda Jennifer Onyejekwe.
She spoke extensively on the topic: ‘Using the Freedom of Information Act for budget tracking and reporting’.
“The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011 gives any person the right to ask any public institution for any record, data or information that is held in the institutions custody. It is a Proactive Disclosure as a means to promote transparency in governance,” Onyejekwe explained
She noted that the two modes of accessing information under the information act are:
- The first is through the proactive publication of information by public institutions.
- The second way is through information provided by public institutions & private entities covered by the Act to legal & natural persons upon the submission of an application.
Proffering solution on how to monitor and track budgets and its implementation, Femi Adesina, Deputy Manager, The Sun Newspaper, called on media houses to involve figure oriented persons in their rank to ensure proper scrutiny and tracking.
“Employ people who are figure literate, train them as journalists, and deploy them to track budgets. Such people also need to be familiar with the Public Procurement Act, and laws relating to disbursement of public funds.
“Tracking will not only involve ensuring that financial projections are adhered to, but will include the overall impact of budget on the lives of the people at the end of the budget cycle. It is a form of evaluation.”
The second day also witnessed presentation by Mr. Kenneth Odusanya, managing partner Odusanya & co. He spoke on Budget for Development and Poverty Alleviation.
Odusanya advised that in drawing up a budget, participants must ensure that it is timebound, comprehensive and have a process of accountability.
He lamented that most local governments have not cultivated the habit of record keeping adding that “A good budget must be efficient and must impact majority of the people.
Speaking on the theme ‘Budget tracking and reporting: the role of the media’ Adesina noted that the waste in government will be reduced to the barest minimum, when such activities are undertaken by the media.
“Budget tracking by the media will enhance planning by government. It will enhance transparency, accountability, and curb waste. When we do it, we would have fulfilled a great part of our social responsibility,” he said.
Participants were also taught on the use of social media platform of LGA Budget Watch during the second day one of the seminar by HDI Media Officer, Alofun Victor.
At the end of the two-day seminar, participants were better informed on the need to ensure budget process participation occupies their topmost priority, “I am very grateful to the organisers for putting this kind of programme in place. It has further enhanced my capacity on the need to be actively involved in budget at my local level,” one of the participants disclosed.
Having learnt the details of the FOI Act, participants resolved to ensure government officials are made to account for every action in the best interest of transforming the society.
Highlight of the seminar was the opportunity provided for participants to ask questions while facilitators took out time to provide possible answers.
HDI is a non-profit organisation established in 1997 to promote human development awareness and propagate information on human development.
