Budget Implementation: Don, Fault Citizens for Projects Neglect in Nigeria

By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna

A University don, at the University of Nigeria, Professor Uzochukwu Amakom, has blamed the inability of citizens to participate in governance by monitoring and evaluating budget planning processes and hold government accountable for the decay and abandonment of projects across the country.

He noted that, if citizens can give their attention to monitor budget processes and evaluate same, the system will experience strict adherence to budget implementation as well as legitimise both the process and outcome.

The Professor, stated this in Kaduna while speaking as guest, at a two-day engagement meeting of stakeholders on governance and budget for enhanced service delivery, organized by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn, (PERL), a DFID funded project.

Amakom, advised citizens to take special interest in the budget process, from inception to monitoring and evaluation of projects, adding that this has become imperative because of the lackadaisical altitude of Nigerians are showing towards projects that has resulted to the volume of uncompleted projects in the country.

He described Nigeria as one of the countries that have the largest number of abandoned projects in the world.

He therefore, charged civil society organisations, community based organisations, the media and individuals to ensure transparency and accountability from the leadership at all times as that is the only way Project can translate to development.

He added if the development sustained, can  awaken the consciousness of governments to the plight of citizens and propel government responsiveness on a sustained level.

In his remarks, State Team Leader of PERL, Abel Adejor, urged Nigerians especially CSOs and the Media to make a step higher making government at all level accountable by demanding to know the budget, projects site, and ensure they are executed to the letter.

On the objective of the meeting, Adejor, said was put together to “foster an appreciation of broader governance processes, and reflection on experiences and challenges to enhance partnerships in and engagement of governance processes for improved service delivery.

“Document experiences of stakeholders in engaging governance processes especially budget process, as well as improve citizen’s engagement in the budget processes.”

Participants of the meeting were drawn from Civil Society Organisations, Community based Organisations, Religious Leaders, Media and other stakeholders.

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  1. February 16, 2024

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