Ebonyi has become the first state in Nigeria to develop a Citizens Engagement and Participation Strategy (CEPS) on budget process, aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and participatory governance.
The initiative, tagged Advancing Citizens Engagement Strategies for Participatory and Accountable Local Governance (ACES4PALG), was reviewed by stakeholders on Tuesday in Abakaliki.
The programme is being implemented by the Development and Integrity Intervention Goal (DIG) Foundation with support from LEAP Africa under the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) project.
Chief Oliver Aja, Executive Director of DIG said that the project aligned with the state Government’s People’s Charter of Needs mantra and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which sought to build strong institutions and inclusive governance.
Aja noted that the ACES4PALG project was designed to consolidate and institutionalise reform initiatives in local governance.
He explained that the project’s key activities included advocacy meetings, baseline and end-line citizens’ engagement mapping, zonal stakeholders’ consultations, validation and launch of the engagement strategy.
“The overall goal is to contribute to achieving SDG 16 by improving citizens’ engagement and participation in local governance in Ebonyi.
“The strategy, when launched, is expected to serve as a model for other states in Nigeria in strengthening participatory democracy and deepening accountability in public finance management,” Aja said.
Speaking, Mrs Williamson Mfon, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, described the initiative as a landmark in the progress of the state’s budget process.
“In the past, we’ve been doing these processes without evidence to show for it; what we are doing today is putting together a living document that anybody that comes after us can run with.
“Some of us will soon be leaving the stage; the question is: what will the people coming after us be working with?
“This document will guide both the ministry and the state in general on how to engage with budget preparation,” Mfon added.
On her part, Mrs Rose Ugwuoma-Ibe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, said the move has positioned Ebonyi ahead of other states in institutionalising citizens’ involvement in governance.
“In the 36 states of Nigeria, Ebonyi is the first to develop this policy that will guide our citizens in participating in budget making processes,” Ugwuoma-Ibe said.
She explained that the new strategy would open up the budget process, making it more accountable and inclusive.
“Budget is an estimate and a plan for government; for us, this document is speaking directly to citizens.
“It is making them part of government and showing that governance is open and accountable.
“Citizens are the ones who enjoy whatever government puts in place, so it is better they use their voice to say what they need,” she added.
According to her, the strategy will also sustain ongoing reforms and provide an institutional framework for citizens’ input into governance.
“If we do not have such a document, there will be no evidence of citizenship participation; this policy provides that evidence and strengthens government-citizen partnership in line with the Charter of Needs,” she added.
Our correspondent reports that officials from the state ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, State Audit, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the media attended the event. ENDS//
