The Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has said that a good number of constituents do not get the value for certain constituency project delivery. Thus, the centre says there isn’t a judicious use of several resources in the delivery of constituency projects in Kano as much is spent but less delivered.
In an effort to ensure that citizens demand their rights during the delivery of constituency projects in Kano, it engaged constituents of Kano south senatorial district in a workshop on community-driven anti-corruption initiatives in the senatorial district.
While emphasising the fact that many constituency projects which are delivered are often substandard, Mr Omoniyi Adeoye, the senior programs officer of CHRICED stated that most contracts are overinflated and in terms of distribution, it is oftentimes uneven and poorly delivered. ‘’So much is being spent but so little is delivered.
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‘’From my interaction with some of the constituents, the level of their knowledge on the delivery of constituency projects is very low. Most of them are not aware of the amount of money which the government is committing to some projects which makes them careless.
‘’They think that some of the projects are just a favour done to them by their representatives not knowing that taxpayer’s money is being used to execute those projects and with the engagement with them, their eyes have been opened to the fact that their monies go into constituency projects. In a bid to enable them to make accountability demands’’ He said.
Prior to the engagement Auwal Isah a constituent of Rogo Local Government Area (LGA) told Daily News24 that he was oblivious of the funds that go into the delivery of constituency projects.
‘’With the knowledge I have gotten on how much the government spends on constituency projects, I must honestly say that I am so surprised and I’m not happy with the state of constituency project delivery in my LGA.
‘’I will pass down the information I have gotten from this workshop to other people in my locality so that we can be able to ask questions whenever we get the opportunity to meet our representative.’’ He concluded.
Similarly, Sadi Sani a constituent of Tudun Wada LGA committed to enlightening residents in his locality on the huge funds that have been budgeted for the delivery of constituency projects. For him, it is the best way to start the process of making accountability demands.
‘’I am not pleased with the level of constituency project delivery in my locality. Actually, I am angry because my eyes have been opened because I have understood that sometimes, these representatives don’t even deliver half of what they commit and we are left at their mercy.’’ He stated.
Ms Aisha Dahiru is positive that with the right collaboration with other women in her locality, they can be able to access their representative to make accountability demands and also push for the request for projects which are needed by the people.
‘’In my locality which is Riruwai, in Doguwa LGA, the road leading to our local government secretariat is dead and this is a problem for women who are pregnant because when labour comes, the terrain is difficult and takes a long time before women can access any primary healthcare facility.
‘’Some of our children who are in school always complain about the absence of chairs, tables and educational materials. When we form a women’s group after this engagement, we will collectively demand what we want with a loud voice’’ She stressed.
