The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), an NGO, has faulted some elected and appointed officials who make it difficult for stakeholders to have access to critical information for accountability.
The Executive Director of CHRICED, Dr Ibrahim Zikirullah, made the criticism while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Kano.
The news conference is with theme: “Imperative of citizens-led accountability demands in the design and implementation of constituency projects in Kano State”.
“Access to public information to demand for accountability remains a herculean task.
“Such situations undermine the struggle to ensure accountability in the use of public resources, especially as it pertains to the grassroot level.
“Some politicians and public officials deliberately erect obstacles to undermine the right of people to public information and data”.
“Inaccessible and unwilling attitude of such persons to answer constituents’ questions violates the provisions of Section 15 (5) of the amended Nigerian Constitution of 1999 which states that the State shall abolish all corruption practices and abuse of power”,he said.
Zikirullah said CHRICED remains steadfast in enlightening citizens to remain undaunted in the struggle to ensure accountability in use of public resources as the centre engages in high level advocacy with public officers and politicians with the view to overcome the the obstacles.
He further explained that since the inception of the NGO’s project of promoting community-driven anti-corruption initiative in the state, project team has been in communities across the 44 local government areas of Kano since January 2021.
He added that they have vigorously engaged citizens at the grassroots, reached out to public office holders and other critical stakeholders.
“We have been achieving these through community enlightenment workshops, accountability report back session, stakeholders consultative meetings and advocacies.
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”We inform and educate the people to promote transparency and increase citizen participation inclusion in the State’s constituency project planning and implementation process”, he said.
The executive director noted that as part of the NGO’s strategy to equip critical stakeholders with skills to hold public officials accountable for the use of public funds for constituency projects, 263 participants from 37 LGAs of the state where trained during eight community enlightenment workshops.
He also said that 70 media practitioners and CSOs were also trained to boost their capacity for investigating and reporting issues of constituency projects.
He urged the general public, the media, civil society organisations, community based organisations and other key stakeholders to rise to the occasion and ensure that constituency project value chain in Kano is transparent and accountable.
Zikirullahi said citizens must also exert pressure on politicians and public officials to fulfill their responsibilities as duty bearers for this to be realized.
(NAN)
