A community engagement event was held in Ubulu-uku as part of the project “Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Budget Implementation,” sponsored by Oxfam. The initiative aimed to equip citizens with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage effectively in the budget process and ensure that fiscal allocations align with public interests.
The event focused on educating citizens about the budget process, which is broken down into four key stages: preparation, authorisation, execution, and accountability. Through a series of presentations, discussions, and interactive sessions, community leaders, representatives from civil society organisations, and local citizens had the opportunity to learn about each stage in detail.
Mr Pius Okocha, State coordinator for Budgit noted that “it is our collective responsibility to hold leaders accountable and this can only be possible when citizens are aware of what the financial books contain. This programme is expected to stimulate the attention of Deltans to seek knowledge about the budgetary provisions of both federal and state governments and begin engagements.
In other words, Oxfam through budgIT seeks to empower Deltans with information and data to lead community advocacies. By engaging directly with the citizens of Ubulu-uku, the project aims not only to demystify the budget process but also to foster a culture of active participation and oversight in public spending.
The community engagement event was well-received, with participants expressing a renewed commitment to civic involvement and an improved understanding of how their contributions can influence budgetary decisions. The discussions underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring that public funds are managed in a manner that benefits the entire community.
As the project continues, further engagements are planned to build on the momentum generated in Ubulu-uku, with the ultimate goal of creating more accountable and responsive governance at the local level.
