Need to Vote for Leaders who will make the Budget Open
I have taken time to watch politicians talk about what they will do when they are voted in and nobody has found it germane to mention the budget which is the document that will serve as vehicle to achieving all the electioneering promises.
Some talk about accountability, rule of law, transparency and all what not. Until the budget becomes handy and is seen in the house/palms of citizens, then all the promises of politicians would be hitting the rock. Unfortunately, no candidate talks about making sure that he/she will ensure that the budget which is the second important document in Nigeria after the constitution is made open and is in the public domain.
Today, according to Prof. Samuel Ezeanyika, there is a marriage between the electorates and those seeking for votes, made possible by the electoral process. Yes, I believe him because once the election is over, there will be divorce and the marriage will end and the winners will go away only to come back after four years. That is why we must tell those seeking our votes what they will do for us and not telling us what they will do for us.
Those who are ready and have shown willingness to make the budget open should be voted in, while the electorates should be conscious of the fact that until the budget is made open, democracy will not be participatory and as a social crusader Emeka Ononamadu of citizens center for integrated development and social rights CCIDESOR would say, government without people's participation is private business at public expense. There is need to improving governance in the Southeast, particularly as it relates to democratic participation of which the budget process is an integral part. It will also ensure citizens' economic literacy and participation in the budget process from conception to implementation so as to reduce corruption.
No wonder there is sensitization/advocacy going on across the six local government areas of Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta, Obowo, Ahiazu, Isiala Mbano and Ngor Okpala. This is facilitated by CCIDESOR/SACE, that is strengthening advocacy and civic engagement. Advocacy is speaking up, drawing a community's attention to an important issue, and directing decision-makers towards a solution.
A budget is the annual statement of the expenditure and revenue of the government along with the laws and regulations that approve and support those expenditure and revenue. Put in another way, public budget is an itemized estimate of expected revenues and expenditures of the government for the year.
The budget should be open for the people to have an idea what projects are earmarked for their communities. This will enable the government to begin to operate an open policy. Besides, making the budget open, it should also be accessible by ensuring that the budget is printed and distributed to the people of the state. The budget should not be difficult to come across. The economic planning ministry should make sure that signed budget should be made available.
The people must also avail themselves of the process of participating in budgeting. Usually, before budgets are passed, the inputs of the members of the communities should be taken into consideration. What the communities need should come into the budget, especially using the community budgeting. There should be public hearing on some key issues of budgeting.
Criminality and corruption are facilitated through the absence of transparency and accountability. The citizen`s awareness and participation in the budget making is their fundamental and civic right. The citizens have the right to know how their resources are managed by public officials. Passage and implementation of budget is delayed due to ineffective bureaucracy.
Hear Emeka Ononamadu of CCIDESOR, a human rights activist; 'In could also be said that the civil society organisations have not played their part in creating the awareness in the mind of the people that citizens should be part of the budget making process. The elected representatives have failed to provide effective representation for the people, by carrying them along in the budget process and periodically consulting with them to give account of their stewardship'.
“Technocrats in government are not helping matter as they have attempted to mystify the budget process hiding under the cloak of technicality to alienate the people from participating in the process. States only publish their annual budgets after implementation, making it difficult for citizens to monitor implementation and get more involved in post- election activities. Without access to budget, it is difficult for citizens to assess the extent of fraud, waste and abuse of public resources by elected representatives and their performance”, this is the position of the Executive Director of CCIDESOR in one of their summits.
By Chigozie Uzosike, 07037723606