In an effort to ensure increased awareness on open budget and its relevance in the development of any society, CCIDESOR in the company of its Citizens Accountability Assemblies-CAA from Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta LGAs have taken further steps to facilitate massive demand for Government transparency and citizens participation in budget process by engaging the women during their annual August meeting.
On August 17, 2017 a delegation led by the CAA coordinator for Ohaji/Egbema, Pst Donatus Elem, visited the women of Obosima, Ohaji/Egbema LGA during their August meeting with the aim of exposing the women to the importance of participatory budgeting and the need to join their voices in demand for accountability and transparency in budget process, as well as allow for citizens input. Speaking to over 400 women, Mr. Donatus Elem stated that the inputs of the citizens in budget formulation, implementation and over sight will help develop their constituency by capturing the basic needs of the community, Informing them of the commitment of their House of Assembly representative, Hon. Emmanuel Orie to ensure the adoption of Open Budget System in the State. Mr. Godknows Amurumbu and Stanley Anwara were equally giving opportunities to address the women. In gratitude for the orientation, the women asked eagerly, how they can get hold of the call circular and make inputs. These questions were duly responded to by the delegates. On a final note, the women were admonished to join voices in spreading the message of open budget in other to have the community captured in the forth coming 2018 Budget.
On the 25th of August 2017, we also engaged the women of Izombe, in Oguta LGA, where they were as well exposed to the importance of good governance which can be achieved through Open Budget. The women were encouraged to begin to demand for a participatory budgeting for the development of their communities, they were further made to understand that democracy is intended to bring development to the people and that can be when they are part and parcel of the the budget processes which avails them the opportunity to have their community needs captured. They were encouraged to always listen to our radio programs and seize the opportunity to openly declare their support for open budget. The women numbering over 70 vowed to do their part in the open budget campaign and pledged to include their decision in the communiqué that will be drawn at the end of their meeting.
