How citizens can play roles in ensuring transparency, accountability in governance
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Nigerians have been informed that as citizens of this country, they have one or more roles to play in ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
This information was given out to citizens of this country in a Town Hall meeting which discussed on a topic titled ” Promoting Citizens Participation in Governance Processes and Protection of Dissent” held in Lagos on Thursday July 20.
The Town Hall meeting was organized by an internationally recognised Lagos based human rights and advocacy organisation the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in collaboration with the Luminate.
Various roles citizens can play in the governance processes were highlighted, such as asking questions on how contract are awarded for projects, who executes the project and under what conditions, monitoring of government/ constituency projects within the locality, speaking and pointing out any project badly done , participation in electoral processes in order to get right leadership and election observations.
Others include holding town hall meetings, Association meetings to discuss the impact of governance on the people, such as electricity bill, bad roads, poor health and school facilities.
Citizens can participate through peaceful protests, letters to appropriate ministries and agencies, petitions and even legal action.
The meeting brought together interest groups and individuals of diverse range of citizens including Lawyers, Human rights activists; Civil society leaders; Local government representatives, the Media trade unions, market women, taxi drivers’ associations, student associations, landlord associations, artisans, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies to improve capacity of Nigerians to hold power to account and participate more broadly, in governance processes.
In a presentation by Dr (Mrs) Bunmi Afinowi from University of Lagos on “Promoting Citizens’ Participation in governance and Protection of Dissent” , she said that governance doesn’t have to do with government but has to do with the process of governance.
She said that for active participation in the governance processes in Nigeria, citizens should speak out.
“Citizens have right to express or a voice to say something about the governance processes in Nigeria.
“It is within our rights to ask questions
“We have the right to highlight or challenge government actions which are not in conformity with our expectations.
“We should make meaningful and purposeful contributions
“Citizens should engage in electoral processes, participate actively in voting out bad government and enthrone true democratic process.
Earlier in a welcome address, Mr Omoju Temidayo pointed out that in democracy, power is vested on the people, adding that for power to be meaningful, every citizen is expected to participate actively in the activities of the government.
He said that the discussion will focus on transparency, accountability and role of technology in citizen participation.
“It is our duty to possess and uphold the rights of citizens, speak out.
Mr Omoju enjoined all to engage in the discussion as it will provide an opportunity for the public to raise and discuss their complaints about any issue they face as a result following the exercise of their right to peaceful dissent.
He disclosed that the complaints received at the meeting as well as the conclusions and recommendations will be sent to appropriate agencies and authorities.
The meeting will also develop an action plan for a citizens’ consultative forum to improved capacity of Nigerians, to hold power to account and participate more broadly, in governance processes.