Budget Advocacy: NGO, Media, Communities Commit To Partner

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

In a bid to ensure impactful sustainable development gain grounds in Delta State, stakeholders recently met and agreed to partner for effective public budget implementation.

A Warri based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-AFRICA) organized a three day training workshop for community leaders, Media experts and civil society actors, this week at Warri.

According to Mr Victor Elomhenriaomon, Program Officer, LITE-AFRICA, our organization is currently implementing a project titled ‘Strengthening Citizen’s Voice For Change In Delta State’

This project is designed to create an avenue for community members to use the power of collective action to push for measureable public reforms.

We are implementing the project at Ukuatata and Ugbolokposo communities of Uvwie LGA, as well as at Umuagu and Umuezei Quarters in Oshimili South LGA of Delta State.

LITE-AFRICA’s Senior Program Officer, Mr Ihekaibe Chinyere, that the project intents to build the capacity of selected 25 Civil Society Organizations.

We equipped them with budget advocacy and social media skills at the three days training workshop.

Soon LITE-AFRICA will organize and facilitate result oriented civic engagement through a multi-stakeholders conference at Asaba, Mr Ihekaibe pointed out.

Each of the participating communities were represented by a member of the elders’ council, a woman leader, a male youth leader and a female youth leader.

The one year life-span project was designed to help participating communities facilitate advocacy engagement with relevant state government officials and members of the state legislature.

The three days event built capacities of participants around major topics and issues like good governance, budget systems & processes.

A seasoned Civil Society expert, Mr Godson Jim Dorgu, facilitated some training sessions on such topics as budget advocacy, grassroot campaigns and lobbying techniques.

LITE-AFRICA also unveiled to participants findings of the social audit conducted in the four participating communities earlier this year. 

Towards end of the workshop, participants committed to work together at ensuring that a functional and participatory budget implementation regime thrives in Delta State.

The project is funded and supported by National Endowment for Democracy (NED).