A non-governmental organisation, Fiscal Discipline and Development Advocacy Centre (FIDAC), has said that budget tracking is a civic responsibility for all citizens that must be fulfilled to ensure good governance.
Dr Abdussalam Kani, the Executive Director of the Centre, made the statement in a presentation at a one-day workshop on budget analysis and tracking on Thursday.
He said that it citizens should begin task their governments, but would only do that when they understand budget analysis.
According to him, “For proper tracking of budgets, there must be basic knowledge of Community problems and basic arithmetic of budget document.”
He explained that it is vital for citizens to be conversant with sectoral allocation, budget division, policy provisions as well as international documents and policies.
Dr. Kani tasked people to develop interest on budget issues, in order to hold governments accountable and assist them in delivering meaningful projects.
In his presentation, the Programme Officer for Kano Budget Working Group and Open Government Partnership thematic lead, Mr Aqibu Hamisu, tasked organisations on inclusion.
Mr Hamisu said it was important for people to be engaged and involved, as government priorities might differ from people’s demands most times.
He tasked people on generating interest around budget issues and making contributions through attending public hearings on budgets.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIDAC organised the one-day workshop on budget analysis and tracking.
The workshop, tagged “Budget analysis and tracking as a tool for promoting accountability and civic engagement”, was attended by many civil society organisations and the media personnel. (NAN)
