Table of Contents
- Call to Action for Citizens
- Importance of Training
- Citizen Responsibility
- Progress in Local Government Autonomy
- Community Involvement
- Budgeting Process Overview
Alhaji Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya, the Executive Director of the Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative (DRDI), has urged citizens to actively participate in monitoring the expenditure of public funds by local governments.
He made this appeal during a capacity-building session organized by DRDI to educate stakeholders on local government budgeting and the importance of public participation.
Alhaji Yahaya stated that the training was essential due to recent reforms that now enable local governments to receive their funds directly.
He emphasized that this new arrangement places a greater responsibility on citizens to ensure transparency and accountability.
“The aim of this program is to raise awareness among stakeholders and the general public regarding their roles in local government budgeting,” he explained.
“Citizens now have the right to seek clarifications from their local government chairmen regarding the utilization of funds.”
He mentioned that DRDI has spent the past three years advocating for complete local government autonomy, encompassing financial, political, and administrative control, and is pleased with the progress achieved at both federal and state levels.
“We are grateful that this campaign has brought us to our current position. The federal government has granted local governments full autonomy by directly transferring funds to their accounts,” he stated.
“Even states like Kano have pledged to allow local governments to utilize their budgets as planned.”
He emphasized that community engagement is crucial in preventing the misuse of public resources.
He encouraged residents to monitor local government spending to ensure that funds contribute to genuine development in grassroots communities.
He expressed confidence that with adequate oversight and public involvement, local governments will regain their former prestige and provide meaningful development to the populace.
Regarding the budgeting process, Garba Bello, Assistant Planning Officer at the Ministry for Local Government, pointed out that Nigeria’s local governments are already functioning with constitutional autonomy.
“They manage their affairs independently, as mandated by the constitution,” Bello stated.
He elaborated that local councils collaborate closely with wards and communities to identify and implement projects based on local needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is citizen participation important in local government budgeting?
Citizen participation is crucial as it ensures transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, allowing communities to influence decision-making processes and ensure that resources are allocated according to their needs.
What changes have been made regarding local government autonomy?
Recent reforms allow local governments to receive funds directly from the federal government, which enhances their financial autonomy and enables them to manage their budgets independently.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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