PREAMBLE
Capacity Building Training for the Grassroots on Budget Processes was held in the three senatorial zones of Kaduna State of Nigeria from Tuesday 4th to Tuesday 11th July, 2017. The event which commenced in Zone 3, Kafanchan Centre, took place on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th July, 2017 at Unity Wonderland Hotel, Kafanchan, Kaduna state. Zone 1, Zaria Centre, hosted the event on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th July, 2017 at Zaria Hotel, Zaria, Kaduna State. The event was concluded Zone 2, Kaduna central senatorial zone, on Monday 10th and Tuesday, 11th July, 2017 at Aso Motel, Kaduna, Kaduna state.
The event which was organized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and facilitated by NGO Network, a national not-for-profit entity supporting the grassroots in good governance and service delivery.
The event was attended by over 180 delegates from the various local government areas in Kaduna state which represented the Senatorial zone and representatives from ICPC including Mal. Mahdi Lawal, of the ICPC North West Zonal Office, Mrs. Joy Ajah from the Headquarters in Abuja, Hajiya Maryam Muazu and Godwin Basheru of the Kaduna Office.
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the event include:
(i). Welcome Remarks by Mohammed Attah, Director of Programme and Managing Editor of NGO Network.
(ii). Project Brief by Mr. Godwin Basheru, ICPC official
(iii). Stakeholders messages from various sectors such as the government, Non State Actors, Business sector, religious groups, women and youth associations and grassroots leadership were delivered at all the centres.
(iv). Keynote speeches were delivered and the workshop was declared open by the respective Special Guests of Honor: Chief Senator Dr. Danjuma Laah for Zone 3 represented by Mr. Ali Magaji Ibrahim, Hon. Muhammed Datti Babawo (Zone 1) represented by Hon. Abdulkadir B. Umar and Comrade Senator Shehu Sani at the Opening Ceremony in Zone 2, Kaduna Centre
(v). Papers were presented by the Resource Persons on the following topics:-
- Understanding the Meaning and Fundamentals of Budget and Budgeting.
- Concept of Budget Advocacy and Community Mobilization.
- Budgeting System and Good Governance.
- Framework for Budget Tracking, Monitoring and Reporting.
(vi). Discussions, comments and evaluation of papers presented by the participants.
(vii). Group work and presentations by the group leaders.
(viii). Interface with the Elected officers and Traditional Rulers.
(iv). Communiqué Drafting by the Communiqué Drafting Committee.
(x). Presentation of Certificates to the participants.
(xi). Coordination of the events by Mr. Polycarp Keffi (Zone 3), Alh. Sani Abdullahi Biye (Zone 1) and Hon. Nuhu Sani Lere (Zone 2).
(xii). Creation of e-work groups and networks to sustain the engagement process.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the workshop were:-
(i) To build the capacity of the people at the grassroots level for effective participation in budget processes.
(ii) To enlighten the people on the need for their participation in budget processes
(iii) To create dynamic networks among the participants for the realization of adequate grassroots’ interest and participation in budget processes
(iv) To make our money work for us through effective budget tracking, monitoring and reporting.
(v) To fashion out ways of collaborating with ICPC to fight corruption through the budget process.
OBSERVATIONS
After careful and successful deliberations on the subject matter by the participants, the following observations were made:
(i) That budget is the concern of all since everybody is a stakeholder in governance especially in a democracy.
(ii) That budget affects our lives because it addresses our needs and how to actualize them.
(iii) That budget is fundamental and central in the development of communities and nations.
(iv) That participants did not know their stakes in budget process.
(v) That most of the elected officers hardly visit their constituencies after the elections to account for their stewardship in office.
(vi) That most challenges and problems of our time emanate from mismanagement of budget and disregard to budget processes.
(vii) That budget advocacy, tracking, monitoring and reporting would enhance consciousness in discharge of duties by elected officers and check corruption.
(viii) That the electorates have not been duly engaging the elected officers on issues concerning governance.
(ix) That most of the electorates sell their conscience to the elected officers especially during elections thereby shutting the doors for checkmating their activities.
(x) That ICPC does not only accomplish enforcement exercise but also enlightens and mobilizes the people on issues that check corruption, as prevention is better than cure.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In view of the observations above, the participants resolved as follow:
(i) That people should see budget as their own and show concern since budget addresses our needs and aspirations.
(ii) That the electorates should see it as their civic duty to always engage the elected officers to make them accountable to the people.
(iii) That elected officers should exhibit transparency through effective communication, periodic visits to their constituencies and participation in constituency activities.
(iv) That the electorates should create enabling environment to facilitate harmonious relationships with the elected officers and to enhance their activities.
(v) That participants should carry advocacy programmes on budget processes to the grassroots and apply diplomacy in reaching out to appropriate authorities.
(vi) That participants should network with one another for effective advocacy on budget processes.
(vii) That the organizers should create an e-working Group for quick and easy communication such as Facebook page, WhatsApp Online Group chat etc.
(viii) That people should contact ICPC where required in seemingly tough issues and situations
(ix) That ICPC should be encouraged and supported by the various stakeholders in their laudable bid to fight corruption through budget processes
COMMENDATIONS
(i) The Federal Government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Muhammad Buhari, GCFR, was commended for her anti-corruption crusade which has improved and diversified the economy.
(ii) ICPC was lauded for being consistent in fighting corruption and for creating consciousness in the war against corruption at the grassroots through budget processes.
(iii) UNDP was praised for funding the capacity Building Training for the grassroots on Budget Processes to combat corruption for national development and lasting democracy in Nigeria
(iv) NGO Network was commended for facilitating the workshop and for being in the fore front of drawing the stakeholders’ attention to their roles in budget processes.
CONCLUSION
The workshop ended with applause from the participants for the organizers and the participants with a call for continuous enlightenment activities on budget processes against corruption in Nigeria.
Signed by:
- Mohammed B. Attah – Director of Programs
- Polycarp Keffi – Kafachan Centre
- Abdullahi Sani Biye – Zaria Centre
- Nuhu Sani Lere – Kaduna Centre
