SIR: Public consultation has long been recognised as a means of improving democratic governance. During citizen assemblies, for instance, citizens have the opportunity to be given in-depth briefing and to receive answers to key questions.
Relying on this democratic practice, the Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State has made consultations with the people a cornerstone of the budget preparation process. It wants to have an idea of the people’s scale of preference and to respond meaningfully to their deepest desires. In its view, the town hall meetings embarked on before presenting the yearly budget provides ample opportunity to feel the pulse of the people through interaction with major stakeholders. This no doubt is a great means of ensuring participatory governance.
It is against this backdrop that Governor Dapo Abiodun kicked off the state-wide consultations meant to harness the people’s inputs into the budget. On Wednesday October 28, he held a virtual meeting with stakeholders in Ogun East to lay bare the plans of the government for citizens’ holistic review. Noting that contract for the construction of Idowa road had been awarded and contractor mobilised to site, the governor unfolded the plan to construct 250 low-cost housing units in Ijebu-Ode and the restoration of pipe-borne water in the axis. He stressed that his administration had constructed almost 300km of road across the state, and that the newly constructed Ijebu-Ode-Epe road would help in opening a new industrial corridor in the axis, while the Cargo Airport currently under construction would enhance the district’s economic potential.
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By Thursday, it was the turn of the Ogun West Senatorial District. At a virtual town hall meeting on the 2022 – 2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2022 Budget in Abeokuta, a ceremony attended by royal fathers, captains of industry, community development associations, market women, members of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Baales and members of the neighbourhood watch personnel, Governor Abiodun declared that the development of Ogun West senatorial district, the major outlet to other West African states and the industrial engine room of the state, would continue to be of topmost importance to his administration.
Among others, the forum provided the governor with an opportunity to reveal his administration’s plan to shop for N13bn to fix deplorable roads in Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
Truth be told, the town hall meetings provided an opportunity for the people to know what the government was doing about their problems, and for the government to feel the pains being felt by the people, and provide solutions. Many people believe that once a government is enthroned, it has power and resources to do everything, but public consultation provides an opportunity to lay bare the financial situation of the state. Such a practice is recommended for all tiers of government because it provides a framework to hear from the people directly what they need, and enables the government to explain the challenges it is facing. The challenges may include financial constraints and even procedural constraints because in awarding contracts, it is expected to follow the Procurement Act. Following due process takes some time. If a road contract is not awarded at a particular time, the people might think that the government has neglected them. But if there is healthy conversation between the people and the government, understanding will be fostered.
As the Commissioner for Budget and Planning in the state, Olaolu Olabimtan, noted, the meeting was to enable the people to express their desires and opinions on what should be the outlook of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and 2022 budget. That is certainly the way to go.
- Funmi Branco,
funmibranco@aol.com
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