The Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative (DRDI) has organized a one-day training program aimed at educating the public and stakeholders on the process of budget preparation and formulation at the local government level.
The Executive Director of DRDI, Dr. Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya, stated that the initiative by his organization is designed to raise awareness about how budgets are formulated and to highlight citizens’ rights to participate in local governance and political processes.
According to him, the project is currently being implemented in Kano and Jigawa states, where three local government areas in each state were selected to conduct research and engage with communities about their needs and how these can be incorporated into the annual budget.
Dr. Mustapha explained that the main objective of the program is to provide citizens with the opportunity to express their needs before the budget is finalized, ensuring that public funds are utilized in ways that benefit the community.
He said,”The entire program is designed to educate citizens on how budgets are presented and on the rights they have to participate in local governance and politics. This helps ensure that government listens to public needs before the budget is approved.”
The Executive Director also expressed concern over the low allocation of funds to the health and education sectors, warning that this could hinder peace and community development.
He added that lack of public monitoring of budgets contributes to misunderstandings between the government and citizens. Failure to integrate community inputs into budgets increases the gap between what citizens need and what the government implements.
Delays by legislative bodies in approving budgets often result in entering a new fiscal year without an approved budget, a situation that exacerbates corruption and economic decline.
Dr. Mustapha advised governments and legislative assemblies to take urgent measures to approve and implement budgets on time, while ensuring citizens’ opinions are heard.
He emphasized that this approach is the key to promoting effective democracy, advancing local government development, and sustaining peace in Nigeria.