Uncategorized

TWO DAY (24TH-25TH) WORKSHOP OF THE MEMBERS OF BAUCHI COALITION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT (BACIPEM)

by suhail sani

TWO DAY (24TH-25TH) WORKSHOP OF THE MEMBERS OF BAUCHI COALITION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT (BACIPEM).


ORGANIZED

 BY

 CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (CITAD)

WITH SUPPORT FROM USAID THROUGH PACT NIGERIA.

AT

PROF. IYA RESOURCE CENTRE, BAUCHI STATE LIBRARY, BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA.

 

 

GENERAL INTRODUTION

The 2 day workshop for BECIPEM members has been organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from USAID through Pact Nigeria. It took place at Prof. Iya Resource Centre, Bauchi State Library, Bauchi State. It is aimed at among other things building d capacity of the individual organizations for strategic planning which by extension will help in making proper planning at BECIPEM level. All expected participants were in attendance with representation from Pact Nigeria by Mr Ibraahim Sunusi, while Y. Z. Ya`u led the CITAD delegations.

Executive Director of CITAD during press conference

Participants conducting group work

Participant conducting group work

Group picture of participants

DAY 1 (24TH SEPTEMBER, 2012)

The workshop started at 11:16 with an opening prayer by a member of the coalition, and then members introduced themselves one by one. Ground rules were laid down collectively by all the members which include: 1. Phones should be off or silent. 2. Respect for time. 3. Respect the views of others. 4. Calls can be made or received outside the venue of the workshop base on permission. 5. Side talks should be minimised and 6. There should be active participation. A N50 fine was suggested for breaking any of the rules.

BRIEF SPEECHES

Y.Z: I will begin by welcoming you to this workshop which is coming one year after the formation of the BACIPEM. Some of the objectives of this workshop include building the capacity of the members on strategic planning, making proper plans for BACIPEM on how to achieve its objectives, etc

Mr. Ibrahim: I welcome you all to this workshop organized by CITAD, it is my believe that participants will apply at the level of their respective organizations what they are going to learn and extend the message to the other members of their organization and also members of their communities. We appreciate this kind of effort CITAD is making and Pact will continue supporting its activities where necessary. I want to remind you that Pact Nigeria is a non-partisan organization which aimed at building local capacity, so that people can have meaningful development.

PRE-TEST

A pre-test was conducted to test the understanding of the participants on the concepts to be analysed at the workshop.

ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS

The individual participants were required to list what their organizations achieved since the formation of BACIPEM to date, and the achievements were pasted on the wall of the venue (See ANNEX A for detail).

PRESENTATIONS

Series of presentations were made including that on strategic planning process, SWOT analysis, PEST analysis, Stakeholder analysis to mention a few by Y.Z. Ya`u.

GROUP WORK

All participants were grouped into three to make a SWOT analysis of BACIPEM based on their understanding of SWOT analysis (See ANNEX B). They also worked at their group level in developing a suitable VISION and MISSION statement for BACIPEM (See ANNEX C). A group of 5 member was set to look at the works of the 3 groups so that to come up with one VISION and MISSION statement for BACIPEM.

DAY 2 (25TH SEPTEMBER, 2012)

OPENING PRAYER

An opening prayer was observed at 10:00am

RECAP OF THE PREVIOUS DAY

Majority of the members shared with the participants the particular areas they enjoyed the most on the first day. Y.Z`s presentations on SWOT analysis, PEST analysis, SMART analysis, Strategic Planning Process, interactive nature of the presentations/sessions, etc, were some of the areas mentioned by the participants.

REPORT BACK

The 5 member committee submitted its report and the whole participants deliberated on it and after making some modification, VISION and MISSION statements were suggested for BACIPEM. The agreed Vision Statement is “A CORRUPT FREE SOCIETY” while the Mission Statement is “FACILITATES RELEVANT COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMES BY PROMOTING THE CULTURE OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES THROUGH ACTIVE CITIZENS` PARTICIPATION”.

GROUP WORK

Participants were asked to go back to their respective groups formed the previous day, where they did a number of works including developing a strategy on how to enhance the strength in the coalition, overcome the weaknesses, seize and utilize the opportunities and neutralized the threats (Also See ANNEX B).

FUTURE OF BACIPEM

Individual participants were required to state in form of drawing where they want to see BACIPEM in the future vis-a-vis Bauchi state. They were also required at their respective group level to develop key objectives for BACIPEM for the next five years, so that to come to a common agreement on the key objectives of BACIPEM (the groups can modify, add, reduce or just validate the existing objectives in the charter). And also to suggest appropriate strategies (activities) for achieving these objectives (See ANNEX D).

BACIPEM LEADERSHIP

Participants unanimously agreed to maintain the existing leadership and majority of them were at the workshop.

POST-TEST AND ITS OUTCOME

Participants had a post test that can be used to assess their understanding of the issues addressed. The outcome of the post-test indicated a tremendous improvement. For example, one participant got 5% in the free-test but got 90% in the post-test.

EVALUATION  

An evaluation form was given to the participants on the workshop, and all of them filled and submitted.

 

 

 

DAY 3 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2012 (PRESS CONFERENCE)

INTRODUCTION

The conference was attended by about 40 press men and women from about 20 media stations (both print and electronic including some of the National Dailies), it started with an opening prayer by a member of the NUJ, after which the NUJ secretary welcomed CITAD and other members of the coalition to NUJ centre. He reminded the conference that CITAD is like part of Bauchi branch of NUJ considering the long partnership relation between the two bodies. He added with thanking CITAD for the ICT training it gave to the NUJ members in Bauchi not long ago. According to him they are used to CITAD activities but yet they have to listen to the new development brought by CITAD.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR`S SPEECH

The CITAD Executive Director Y.Z. Ya`u, who presented the speech on behalf of the coalition started by introducing other members of the team including Pact Nigeria`s representative and the representatives of different associations from all the local governments of the state.   Afterward, Y.Z made his 4 pages presentation (See ANNEX E) which took him about 10 minutes.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

After the presentation, the NUJ secretary introduced a question and answer session.

NUJ chairman: How can Freedom of Information Act help BACIPEM champion this course?

 Y.Z: CITAD played a serious role in campaigning for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill itself, where it served as the coordinator of the campaign in some states like Kano. Also one of the things CITAD is doing is educating the public to understand that in democracy there should be transparency and openness which will allow citizens to access information as enshrined by the Freedom of Information Act so that they can make meaningful and informed contribution to development process.

Abbas Shehu:  Is the coalition satisfied with the implementation of 2012 Bauchi state budget?

  Y.Z: The budget seems to be not realistic because it is not self reliant (lacking initiatives on how to source revenue internally). About 90% of the budget is to come from the Federal account which is not realized, hence affecting so many projects in the state. Another reason for the poor implementation is that the budget process was not done in accordance with the law. While the law provides that a state budget should be signed latest by 31st December of the receiving year, that of Bauchi state was presented early in the fiscal year and the process continued until March when it was signed.

Isa Hassan: Is CITAD only in Bauchi state, and how can this campaign be extended to other states?

Y.Z:  CITAD has offices in Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba and Yobe. It also carries out its activities in almost all the Northern states even in the states it has no offices. CITAD activities are of two ways learning process, the activity in one state can be applied to another state and vice versa.

CLOSING REMARKS

NUJ Chairman: I thank you all for coming to this conference more particularly the members of the coalition (including the supporting donor, i.e. Pact Nigeria) and we appeal to Pact to support Bauchi NUJ especially in the area of capacity building of our members.

Y.Z: I will like to appreciate the support Pact Nigeria is giving to CITAD whenever it comes with any developmental project, this is one of the reasons why CITAD projects are always successful.

CLOSING PRAYER: An NUJ member of different faith from the one who observed the opening prayer gave the closing prayer so that to have the blessings of the 2 major religions.

DEPARTURE

At about 12:23pm

 

 

 

 

ANNEX A

ORGANIZATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Members of the BACIPEM were required to list their achievements from December 2011 to September 2012, and the achievements were listed in the following order:

DECEMBER 2011

  1. FOMWAN ALKALERI: Visited the local government chairman and Education secretary to talk on how to improve education sector in the area.
  2. RAHAMA: worked in four core areas which include: health, education, micro credit and governance. OVC`s activities were conducted, working with NYNETHA on OSY for HIV prevention, trained care givers on OVC`s activities and PMTC activities.
  3. GAMAWA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION: Cleared makabarta (Cemetery ) and advocacy visit to district head of GAMAWA.
  4. FOMWAN NINGI: Through CITAD training we held a gender sitting with some communities of Ningi local govt. They are: Gwad, Katsinawan Disgis and Kyata.
  5. WOMEN OF PEACE: Through CITAD training we were able to conduct gender setting with stakeholders in Dass local govt.
  6. SHIRA YOUTH FORUM: We consulted the Shira local govt council, requesting for permanent site for G.D.S.S Yana and it was granted. We also contacted the member representing Shira constituency in state assembly to renovate Shira/Yana General hospital and it is now under renovation.
  7. FAHIMTA: Conducted child message collection in ten communities in two local governments, i.e. Bogoro and Kirfi. We also constructed 2 health centres at 2 communities in Bogoro local government. They are Unguwar Rimi and Cikaji. With the support from TYDF, we constructed one block of 2 class rooms in primary school in Fulatan, Darazau local government and one block of two class rooms in Kasuwa Dole, Gamawa local govt.
  8. MISAU MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (MIMDA): We held agenda validation meeting, we submitted the final report to the local government chairman and his councillors, we paid courtesy visit to emir of Misau.
  9. JAMA`ARE YOUTHS ALLIANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT: Budget literacy with support from CITAD.
  10. BACIPEM: CITAD workshop on social media and CITAD workshop for partnership between government officials and CSOs.

JANUARY – MARCH 2012

  1. RAHAMA: Formed mothers association, awareness creation on HIV prevention to uniform men, awareness creation on girl child education, distribution of school materials to OVCs and Deforming, advocacy visit to Bauchi local government chairman and sanitation on water and sanitation.
  2. FOMWAN NINGI: Through CITAD training we were able to present the gender priorities to the local government chairman.
  3. BACIPEM: We developed Community Development Charter (CDC), we conducted an evaluation meeting and wrote an article in one of the National dailies (Sunday Trust).
  4. FOMWAN ALKALERI: House to house mobilization on polio immunization.
  5. DASS: Advocacy visit to the chairman of agric in Dass to improve and develop the situation of slaughter slap of Dass local government.
  6. GAMAWA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION: Enlargement of primary school enrolment and attending advocacy to general hospital Gamawa medical officer.
  7.  MISAU MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (MIMDA): A day lecture on drug abuse and HIV/Aids for some senior secondary school of Misau local government.
  8. WOMEN OF PEACE: We were able through CITAD training to harmonized priority settings with the communities and stakeholders in Dass local government.
  9.  SHIRA YOUTH FORUM: We scheduled our members to G.D.S.S  Shira and G.D.J.S. Shira as volunteer teachers.
  10. JAMA`ARE YOUTHS ALLIANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT: Validation in community needs with support from CITAD.
  11. Budget meeting.

APRIL-JUNE 2012

  1. 1.      GAMAWA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION: Advocacy visit to Government Technical College Gamawa for discussion on some problems.
  2. 2.      ASSOCIATION OF THE DISABLE: Sending members to the school for the disabled.
  3. 3.      WOMEN OF PEACE DASS: Advocated to the local government chairman on the priorities set by the community and stakeholders.
  4. 4.      GUNJUWA NCWS: Built one block class room and demonstration in the field with women.
  5. 5.       MISAU MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (MIMDA): Extramural lessons for senior secondary schools of Misau local government and revisited the chairman on the validation meeting report submitted to him.
  6. 6.      Visit to the ministry of education for support towards schools.
  7. 7.      FOMWAN ALKALERI: Built 2 blocks class room at FOMWAN learning centre Alkaleri.
  8. 8.      JAMA`ARE YOUTHS ALLIANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT: Providing one transformer for K/Kudu in Jama`are through member of House of Representative.
  9. 9.      Disbursement of loan by our organization.

JULY-SEPTEMBER 2012

  1.  ASSOCIATION OF THE DISABLE: Renovation of the office of the disabled, sending members to learn shoe making and visited the wife of his Excellency to help us with a shoe making workshop for our members.
  2. FOMWAN ALKALERI: Send 6 students to government school.
  3. GUNJUWA NCWS: Lecture on how to plan a budget in a year and disbursement of loan to the women.
  4. WOMEN OF PEACE DASS: CITAD trained us on ICT.
  5. MISAU MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (MIMDA): Through radio program we sensitized community on respecting laws of the society.
  6. GAMAWA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION: Tree plantation at Gamawa- Sabongari road (1 km) and clearing drainage at Unguwar Gora.
  7. BACIPEM: Printed Community Development Charter for its members.
  8. SHIRA YOUTH FORUM: Sent a computer literate member to G.D.S.S. to give computer training to the students.
  9. Workshop on breastfeeding support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX B

BACIPEM SWOT ANALYSIS BY THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE WORKSHOP

GROUP ONE:

Strengths

  • Coalition leading to team work,
  • Trained members,
  • Good relationship from management and staff, and
  • Participating in decision making.

HOW TO ENHANCE THE STRENGTHS

  1.  Coalition leading to team work: By frequent meeting (monthly), sharing of information and proper record keeping.
  2. Trained members: By organizing programmes like awareness campaigns and step down training.
  3. Good relationship from management and staff: Motivation and promotion
  4. Participating in decision making: Ups down and Bottom up, side ways and peers.

Weaknesses

  • Office Accommodation,
  • Financial constraints,
  • Mobility  Problem, and
  • Inadequate documentation.

HOW TO OVERCOME THE WEAKNESSES

  1. Office Accommodation: Advocacy to relevant stakeholders for an office.
  2. Financial constraints: Donation, solicitation and Contribution.
  3. Mobility Problem: By car hiring.
  4. Inadequate documentation:  Office cabinet, external hard disc back up and proper filing system.

Opportunity

  • Collaboration with the development partners,
  • Access to information, and
  • Passage of Fiscal Responsibility and Public Procurement document by Bauchi state government.

HOW TO USE AND UTILIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Collaboration with the development partners: By writing proposal, sharing of report and information.
  2. Access to information: By proper use of email and website.
  3. Passage of Fiscal Responsibility and Public Procurement document by Bauchi state government:  Through sensitization of BSHA, executive arm and judiciary.

Threats

  • Poor implementation of FRL and PPL,
  • Technological problems,
  • Socio-Cultural environment, and
  • Government regulations.

HOW TO NEUTRALIZE THE TREATS

  1. Poor implementation of FRL and PPL: Stakeholders and working groups should be put in place. It can also be through awareness campaign
  2. Technological problems: Intone with the realities of the modern day technologies.
  3. Socio-Cultural environment: Proper scanning of the environment.
  4. Government regulations: Positive relationship with the government officials.

 

GROUP TWO:

Strengths

  • Formation of coalition,
  • Access to information, and
  • Team work.

HOW TO ENHANCE THE STRENGTHS

  1. Formation of coalition: By regular meeting.
  2. Access to information: Through networking.
  3. Team work: By participation of all members in order to achieve the specific objectives.

Weaknesses

  • Lack of organizational structure,
  • Financial constraints, and
  • Poor leadership.

HOW TO OVERCOME THE WEAKNESSES

  1. 1.      Lack of organizational structure: By active leadership.
  2. 2.      Financial constraints: Through devising  a strategic means by which organization will have a source of income, e.g. monthly contribution, fine and assistance.
  3. 3.       Poor leadership: Abiding by the rules and regulations of the organization`s constitution.

Opportunities

  • Presence of Donor agencies,
  • Government policy, and
  • Link between government and governance.

HOW TO USE AND UTILIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES

  • Presence of Donor agencies: Conducting relevant programmes with the donor agencies.
  • Government policy: Through designing programmes that are in line with government policy.
  • Link between government and governance: By maintaining good relationship between communities and the government.

 

Threats

  • Withdrawal of the Donor agencies,
  • Intervention of government policy, and
  • Political interests.

HOW TO NEUTRALIZE THE TREATS

  1. Withdrawal of the Donor agencies: By carrying the programmes assigned by the donor agencies.
  2. Intervention of government policy: By safeguarding our constitutional rights.
  3. Political interests: Mobilizing participation into politics/ proper participation into politics.

GROUP THREE:

Strengths

  • Good networking,
  • Good relationship with government,
  • Active participation, and
  • Collaboration.

HOW TO ENHANCE THE STRENGTHS

  1. Good networking: By forming a coalition.
  2. Good relationship with government: To keep on advocating.
  3. Active participation: By frequent meeting with our members.
  4. Collaboration: By collaborating with other partiners.

 

Weaknesses

  • Lack of office,
  • Lack of funding, and
  • Lack of elected executive.

HOW TO OVERCOME THE WEAKNESSES

  1. Lack of office: By striving to have our own office.
  2. Lack of funding: By collaborating with donor agencies and other partners.
  3. Lack of elected executive: By electing our executives.

Opportunities

  • Government`s recognition, and
  • A support from USAID through Pact Nigeria.

HOW TO USE AND UTILIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Government`s recognition: Keep on advocating to the government for PPL and FRL through enlightenment campaigns.
  2.  Support from USAID through Pact Nigeria: By having workshop with CITAD for more.

Threats

  • Government`s failure to implement and adopt the two laws fully, as we are advocating for.

HOW TO NEUTRALIZE THE TREATS

  1. 1.      Government`s failure to implement and adopt the two laws fully, as we are advocating for:  To keep an advocating and organizing enlightenment campaign.

ANNEX C

VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS DEVELOPED BY THE GROUPS

Group ONE

VISION: IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY IN BAUCHI STATE

MISSION: FACILITATES RELEVANT COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMES THROUGH EFFECTIVE CITIZENS` PARTICIPATION TO IMPROVE GOOD GOVERNANCE

GROUP TWO

VISION: PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNANCE IN BAUCHI STATE

MISSION: TO PROMOTE THE CULTUTE OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES THROUGH ADVOCACY AND MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW

GROUP THREE

VISION: BAUCHI STATE A CORRUPT FREE SOCIETY

MISSION: SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT AND CITIZENS TOWARDS ACTIVE BUDGET PARTICIPATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX D

Key objectives for BACIPEM for the next 5 years by the respective groups and the matching activities on how to achieve the objectives.

GROUP ONE

  1. Promote the culture of transparency and accountability in the management of public resources in the state.

Activity: By stakeholders meeting quarterly

  1. Advocate for the implementation of the Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Laws.

Activity: Advocacy to media, traditional rulers, legislature and executive.

  1. Support government efforts aimed at implementing those policies.

Activity: Formation of stakeholder monitoring team.

  1. Monitor the implementation of those laws.

Activity: Formation of due process office at the MDAs and Local Government Areas.

  1. Facilitates the involvement of citizens and communities in the budget process.

Activity: Mobilization and awareness campaign on citizens` rights

  1. Monitor the implementation of budgets in the state.

Activity: Formation of stakeholder monitoring team.

  1. Training and capacity building on PPL and FRL.

Activity: Organizing workshops and seminars

  1. Collaboration with other coalitions to pursue common goals.

Activity: CSOs conferences.

GROUP TWO   

  1. Promote the culture of transparency and accountability in the management of public resources in the state,

Activity: BY public enlightenment

  1. Advocate for the implementation of the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state.

Activity: Advocacy and regular visits to all arms of government.

  1. Support government efforts aimed at implementing the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state,

Activity: By reporting any improper handling of government projects.

  1. Monitor the implementation of the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state,

Activity: By active participation in setting projects and budgeting of the projects.

  1. Facilitate the involvement of citizens and communities in budget processes in the state,

Activity: By setting committee within the community that will monitor the projects.

  1. Monitor the implementation of budgets in the state.

Activity: By taking legal action against any contractor that did not execute the contract/project properly.

GROUP THREE  

  1. Promote the culture of transparency and accountability in the management of public resources in the state,

Activity:

  1. Advocate for the implementation of the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state.

Activity: Advocacy visits to government agencies, enlightenment campaign to general public,

  1. Support government efforts aimed at implementing the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state,

Activity: By partnership meeting between the govt and civil societies, organizing workshops on fiscal responsibility and public procurement laws,

  1. Monitor the implementation of the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state,

Activity:

  1. Facilitate the involvement of citizens and communities in budget processes in the state,

Activity: By organizing workshops on how to use social media to campaign for the proper implementation of the laws, organizing workshop on budget literacy

  1. Monitor the implementation of budgets in the state.

Activity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX E

TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CHARTER (CDC) BY Y. Z. YA’U, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT (CITAD) ON BEHALF OF THE CITAD AND BAUCHI COALITION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE MANAGEMENT (BACIPEM)

 

September 26, 2012 at NUJ Press Centre, Bauchi

I will like on behalf of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and the Bauchi Coalition for Improvement of Public Expenditure Management (BACIPEM) welcome you to this press conference. We are grateful that in spite of the short notice you are able to be with us to listen to what we have to say.

This press conference is called to formally present to the public the Community Development Charter (CDC) a civil society campaign and advocacy document to promote community development, good governance and public accountability on the part of elected representatives. The CDC, which is published both in English and Hausa documents key community development priorities as collated by members of our coalition, the BACIPEM.

The BACIPEM as you know is a coalition of several CSOs from the different local governments of the state that are committed to promoting transparency and accountability in the use of public resources. The specific objectives of the coalition are:

  1. Promote the culture of transparency and accountability in the management o f public resources in the state
  2. Advocate for the implementation of the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state
  3. Support government efforts aimed at implementing the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state
  4. Monitor the implementation of the public procurement and fiscal responsibility laws of the state
  5. Facilitate the involvement of citizens and communities in budget processes in the state
  6. Monitor the implementation of budgets in the state

Formed about a year ago, BACIPEM organises its activities around four broad strands of strategies, namely public education capacity building advocacy and the actual monitoring of public procurement processes and budget implementation. Our advocacy centres around the need, indeed the imperative, for governments to evolve a participatory process in governance so that citizens would have the opportunity to participate in the governance of their society not only through casting their vote but also in getting their voices heard and listened when it comes to deciding on the use of public resource

The CDC provides a distillation of such voices. It allows communities to identify key issues that they wished government to address so that they may enjoy the fruits and dividends of democracy.

The budget is a tool through which public expenditure making and procurement is regulated. As a tool, it not only allocates resources to the specific sectors of the society, but is also used to manage the economy in such a way that it would continue to grow and meet other demands of the country. In a way, it is an instrument for managing resources to meet social needs. The budget is a fundamental law of the country since no money may be spent outside that which has been appropriated by the legislature. For this reason, the Constitution has made extensive provisions on the budget. These provisions allocate responsibilities to the different arms of the government with respect to budget making, the manner in which it is to be presented by the executive and provide the procedure for the legislation of the budget as well as how the budget is to be managed.

For this reason we have timed the public presentation of the charter to be pre-date the consideration of the 2013 state budget by the state House of Assembly. We intend, following this public presentation, to carry forward the advocacy at all levels with the hope of getting government (both state and local governments to integrate the demands contained in their 2013 budgets. We believe that integrating these demands would not only deepen democracy through the rebuilding of the confidence of the people in electoral democracy but also ensure that our representatives are true representatives of their constituencies.

This charter contains two specific groups of demands: those dealing with specific development priorities and those relating to reforming governance processes, especially those relating to public expenditure management processes. While we invite you to read the charter and amplify its message, we would like to draw attention here to some of these demands that are relating to public expenditure management.

These demands include our call on government to:

  1. Develop framework and mechanisms for consultative processes in the budget making processes so that ordinary citizens could be able to offer their perspectives on the how their needs could be addressed.
  2. Commit itself to the full and effective implementation of both the Public Procurement and the Fiscal Responsibility Laws of the State.
  3. Constitute both the Procurement Unit and the Fiscal responsibility Unit as provided in the Procurement and the Fiscal Responsibility Laws of the state respectively.
  4. Direct all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as well as local governments to comply with the procurement law in their procurement processes
  5. Print and circulate the Procurement and the Fiscal Responsibility Laws to government officials and to the wider public so as to ensure that officials and citizens know and understand the intentions of these laws.
  6. Commence the processes of the review and amendment of the two laws by sending executive bills to the State House Assembly for this purpose
  7. Provide all the necessary support to the Due Process Office, including training for the staff of the agency to perform duties and discharge its responsibilities effectively and professionally
  8. Develop consultative framework and processes for involving citizens in budget processes
  9. Mainstreaming gender and disability in all development processes, especially through economic and political empowerment and appropriate affirmative action for women
  10. Direct all MDAs to set up their procurement offices, appoint procurement coordinators and set up the necessary procurement sub-commitments of the their tenders boards
  11. Respect the autonomy of local government council as to provide them with space to carry out their programmes and activities on the basis of community felt needs and in accordance with constitutional provision

Bauchi State was one of the first to have domesticated both the Fiscal Responsibility Law and public procurement law. In that sense it could claim a leadership position. Since then, over 25 states have domesticated the laws. What is more, many of these states have gone far in implementing their laws with visible benefits to their people. Bauchi State needs to reclaim the initiative by acting quickly to address the amendment of the laws and get them fully implemented. In this connection we call on the state House of Assembly initiate a speedy process for the consideration of the necessary amendments to the two laws.

We thank you very much for your attention. As partners in progress, we know you have been paying more than casual interest in the implementation of these laws and to the general development profile of the state. We urge you to continue report and provide voice and space for citizens so that democracy can have substantive meaning to them.

On behalf of CITAD and BACIPEM, I present to you and through you to the public, the Community Development Charter (CDC) that inspires to rescue our communities from development stagnation.

Thank you.