CIF Tasks Akwa Ibom Youths on Budget monitoring, Engagement Stakeholders on Abandoned Projects
…As Youths Tell Governor Umo Eno to Resuscitate AKYDF bill
By Ekemini Simon
Youths in Akwa Ibom State have been charged to identify with Government at all levels, track, monitor and ensure implementation of budgetary provisions and policies to reflect the aspirations of young people in critical sectors.
The youths have also been called upon to identify abandoned projects in their respective communities and strategically engage relevant stakeholders to get contractors back to site.
The charge came from Clement Isong Foundation (CIF)recently during a 2-day capacity building training for young people on Budget Monitoring and Tracking organised by CIF with support from Action Aid Nigeria and funded by DANIDA.
According to the communique issued at the end of the training, youths would participate in governance by asking questions, seeking clarifications when needed, following and monitoring budget processes and implementation.
It was resolved that it is not enough to complain about abandoned projects; youths need to take advantage of the strategic partnership training, utilise skills learnt and positively engage critical stakeholders for state and community transformation and reformation.
To ensure this is achieved, it was agreed that the youths need to identify key stakeholders, their level of influence, projects and solutions.
It was resolved that since the future is for the youth, there is a need to leverage on digital resources and media partnership to advocate for policy inclusion, gender responsive actions and accountability from political leaders.
Youth were tasked to apply the knowledge on social audit and freedom of information act to follow up on budgetary allocations for critical sectors.
They were charged to take part in the budget processes, arm themselves with requisite knowledge and information for advocacy.
Part of the communique reads ” Young people should take ownership of their future by strategically engaging with the Umo Eno led Government and should demand for the resuscitation of a social protection floors enshrined in a Akwa Ibom Youth Development Fund Bill which clearly made adequate social intervention provisions that addresses issues of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, social vices and climate injustice.
“Young people apply the knowledge learnt to analyse budgets, use data to hold government officials accountable, and engage with other citizens in advocacy efforts.
“Civil Society Groups and other concerned stakeholders can get involved in the budget process through participating in the citizens budget committee and engage relevant MDA’s for collection into the budget ministry.
“Young people should actively participate in Public hearings where Citizens are called to share their perspective on the State government proposed Budget. They can make their inputs through critiques, recommendations and call for increase or decrease in some MDA’s & Specific budget line.
“During the budget implementation stage young people could track the budget, contract award process, project specification, public tender, bill of quantity and the actual implementation of the project.
“Young people can engage the Public Accounts Committee Report and the Accountant Generals report to monitor infrastructural development and budgetary provisions.”
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Clement Isong Foundation, Elkanah Oluyori stated that budget monitoring and tracking will promote transparent and accountable governance.
Also speaking, Blessed Ifemenam and Kure Shekwoyemi from ActionAid Nigeria harped on the use of social media for advocacy and highlighting the concerns for the youth that generate attention from necessary actors.
On his part, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Clement Isong Foundation, Prof Akpan Ekpo charged Akwa Ibom youths to remain resilient, engage and drive the change that they want stressing that the country depends on the collaboration and innovation of young people to overcome its present challenges.