A non-governmental organization, Environmental Development and Family Health Organization (EDFHO), has tasked the Ekiti State Government with accountability and inclusivity in budget implementation in the state.
The civil society organization made this known through its Executive Director, Olu Ogunrotimi, during a two-day workshop on “Budget Monitoring and Tracking,” organized in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria for Civil Society Organizations, MDAs, and community representatives from three LGAs: Ilejemeje, Gbonyin, and Ekiti West.
Speaking with journalists, Mr Ogunrotimi disclosed that the workshop aimed to spur participants to demand and monitor the progress of budget implementation in the state, especially as it affects community members and citizens.
On their expectations of participants, Ogunrotimi said, “We are expecting the participants to review the annual budget, ensure they participate in the development of the state budget, provide their input at the appropriate time, and ensure that their contributions are reflected in the state government’s budget.
“At the same time, during budget implementation, they must ensure that all allocations go to where they are supposed to go and monitor how they are being used.”
He further called on the state government to intensify efforts in the state’s budget with special focus on rural communities, ensuring they enjoy the dividends of tax contributions.
Similarly, the Local Rights Program Manager, ActionAid Nigeria, Kehinde Arowosegbe, emphasized the need for stakeholders and citizens to demand accountability and for the state government to incorporate inclusivity in budget drafting.
Arowosegbe stated that the training would help raise awareness within communities on budget matters.
In his words, “The training is about raising the awareness of communities to the fact that they should be asking questions concerning the budget and that they should be concerned with the budget, not just listening to the news that the government has passed the budget.
“What is in the budget? How does it concern us? How do we, as communities, benefit from the budget? These are questions people should be asking, and they should also know where to go if they need information concerning the state budget.”
He also anticipates that there will be increased accountability and inclusivity from the government regarding budget implementation in the state.
A highlight of day two of the training was a lecture by one of the resource persons, Mrs. Osamudiamen Owen-Akinwale, the Program Advisor of ActionAid Nigeria, on ‘Budget Analysis.’
She said that budget analysis equips communities to effectively engage with the government in a more informed manner, ensuring their demands are taken seriously.
According to her, “It identifies government priorities, enhances participation in budgetary processes, ensures fiscal discipline and adherence to budget goals, and highlights key points for community advocacy.”
The programme advisor identified types of budget analysis to include: “Principle analysis, which involves participation, accountability, transparency, accuracy, equity, and timeliness; while content analysis focuses on economic, budget, and sectoral analysis.
“Outcome analysis determines whether the objectives of the budget were met, while impact analysis focuses on the changes and improvements taking place in the lives of community members.”
Budget implementation: Group tasks Ekiti Govt on accountability, inclusivity