From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has commended Connected Development (CODE), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), for mobilising citizens in the state to monitor Constituency projects in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Hajiya Habiba Shekarau gave the commendation when she received a delegation of the CODE team, Community Monitoring Teams and the Media in her office yesterday.
Hajiya Shekarau said mobilising the residents to get involved in the design and implementation of constituency projects was very crucial, saying she is excited that young team from the CODE are at forefront an indication that there is hope for the future generations.
She opined that the involvement of constituents in the design and execution of constituency and other development projects will ensure that government spending meets the people’s development yearning and the Ministry will be ready to partner with CODE in the noble cause.
In his presentation the Kaduna State Team lead of CODE Mohammed Abubakar said In a bid to deepen citizen’s interest in government spending and address accompanying corrupt practices, his organizations have sensitised residents of Kaduna State on how to engage government using the FollowTheMoney model.
According to him, by fostering social accountability, the organisation had through its open government and improved service delivery in the execution of development projects, exposed and mitigated corruption, and tackled extreme poverty in rural communities.
Speaking earlier the Project Assistant of CODE in Kaduna, Zaraphat Haruna explained that Nigeria’s constituency projects are shrouded in secrecy.
According to her, firstly, the recipient regions are not aware of the projects, and this stems from the fact that the projects did not emanate from them.
She adds: “ Second, the time of executing the project is not known for them to oversee their implementation.
“ Third, federal representatives are far away from the people they claim to represent.”
Haruna stressed that with most of these legislators not having offices, the electorate only sees them during the electioneering period.
She opines that afterwards, it will be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the people to see their elected representatives, therefore seeks the Ministry collaboration in tracking the Projects
She said CODE has expanded its tentacles outside the shore of the country where its activities are being executed.
