……..solicits legislative assistance in advancing participatory budgeting, transparency, accountability at LG levels
By Lucky Isibor
The project team of Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) implementing the Enhancing Citizens’ Engagement in Governance Across Selected Local Government Areas in Edo State (E-CEGALE), has paid advocacy visit to the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, as part of its efforts to introduce the project to State actors and politically exposed persons to secure their buy in.
While sharing sharing the objectives of the project with the Majority Leader of the Edo House of Assembly, the team leader and Chief Responsibility Officer of Josémaria Escriva Foundation, Dr. Jude Obasanmi appealed to Hon. Ibhamawu for legislative assistance in advancing participatory budgeting, transparency, and accountability at the local government level.
Obasanmi pointed out that the E-CEGALE project, being implemented by Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room with support from UK International Development is designed to strengthen democratic governance by empowering citizens especially youth, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalised groups, to engage meaningfully in local government decision-making and oversight processes.
According to him, “Through civic education, public dialogues, and digital tools, the project will promote transparency, inclusiveness, and citizens’ trust in governance. Some of the project activities will include the development of an LGA Fiscal Accountability Toolkit, training of over 60 local officials and civil society representatives on fiscal openness, and the introduction of a citizen-accessible platform for publishing local government budget and expenditure data.”
While noting that Comrade Obasanmi emphasized
that effective governance requires both institutional reforms and citizens’ participation, Obasanmi underlined the imperatives of the support of the House of Assembly, adding that it is critical in implementiong and sustaining the gains of the project beyond its pilot phase.
Responding, the Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, commended the Josemaria Escriva Foundation for its dedication to promoting transparency and good governance at the grassroots. He lauded the positive and development impacts of the activities of JOSEF over the years in the areas of education, health and citizens participation in governance, particularly at the local government levels across the country.
Ibhamawu assured that the Edo State House of Assembly fully supports the objectives of the E-CEGALE project and will provide any necessary legislative backing to ensure its success and sustainability.
“The House of Assembly is committed to supporting initiatives that deepen accountability and participatory budgeting in our Local Governments.
“We recognize that when citizens are part of governance, government becomes more responsive and efficient. It is therefore important that we continue to strengthen collaboration between civil society and legislative institutions .
While calling for improved synergy between state institutions, civil society and community groups to promote inclusive governance, Hon. Ibhadamiu added that, “I appeal to Josemaria Escriva Foundation to extend the project to other Local Government Areas in Edo State after the pilot phase, and I assure you that the House would remain open to partnership and legislative support toward this goal.”