It was on the backdrop of pushing citizens to get active in the processes of constituency project service delivery that the Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) engaged constituents of Kano south senatorial district in a community town hall meeting on fostering transparency and accountability in constituency projects delivery in Kano state.
While welcoming participants, Comr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi the executive director of CHRICED stated that the Northwestern zone had been overtime struggling with challenges of insecurity, poverty, MNCH mortality, forced child begging amongst others, stressing that community members had a responsibility of relentlessly agitating to ensure that democratic processes delivers quality life for millions of citizens.
Comr. Zikirullahi noted that irrespective of agitations of the people, corruption, if not checked will continue to frustrate the efforts of the electorates in seeking for their rights and privileges as citizens. “As a citizen voter, you must become interested in what happens to the projects around your domain. As we all know, constituency projects are among the many government programs which could have helped in the spread of development and give citizens a sense of belonging and benefits from public resources.
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“This forum is an opportunity for our elected political representatives at the LGAs to report on their work and the challenges they face, in the delivery of constituency projects, which is meant to provide basic things such as rural roads, cottage industries, health facilities, amongst others.” He said.
Ms Zuwaira Omar, the contact and mobilization officer of CHRICED noted that the town hall meeting was in a bid to intensify the citizens understanding of constituency projects as most of them are deluded with the notion that certain lawmakers carry out constituency projects out of their goodwill and magnanimity to the people. She said the engagement with them was to clearly educate them on their rights and responsibilities, in the process of constituency projects service delivery to the citizens.
Mr Noel Nzumi, an Official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while speaking, urged citizens to be fearless in reporting issues of corruption which existed in their communities. He told the constituents to constantly monitor constituency projects within their domain and report to the EFCC in a situation where they discover any foul play, in the delivery of constituency projects in their localities, adding that sharp practices shouldn’t be overlooked, as it undermines the effort of Nation building.
“The EFCC is open to everyone and whenever you discover that a project isn’t serving its purpose or isn’t functional, please freely walk into the EFCC office or report to any official through the contacts provided. We have to work in partnership with you because the EFCC cannot be everywhere. However, it is imperative that you report the truth and with that, wrong doers will be made to face the wrath of the law.” He said.
Mallam Sabiu Inuwa a participant at the meeting told Daily News24 that the engagement had provided him with the necessary information he needed on constituency projects delivery. “There are various uncompleted projects in Bunkure, where I reside and as I have been educated on the processes to follow-up on the delivery of those projects, I will ensure that I follow the steps. I will ensure to make good use of the contacts provided to us in reporting on issues of corruption in the community as stated by the ICPC and EFCC”
As the constituents have been educated on issues regarding to their contribution towards harnessing their power for effective constituency project delivery, it is expected that they will act on the information they have received.
