The need for the government to adhere strictly to budgetary provisions and do proper assessment to ensure that citizens are involved in consultations and preparations has been stressed.

Given the foregoing, stakeholders lament that communities have remained underdeveloped, with citizens impoverished, despite developmental and empowerment projects captured yearly in the financial document.

The appeal was made at a two-day capacity building workshop, organised by the Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG), with support from OXFAM, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The event, targeted at increasing the knowledge base of women in the extractive value chain, was part of activities for the FAIR for All (F4A) Power of Voices Programme currently being implemented in the country by Oxfam through its strategic partners.

Participants were drawn from NDEBUMOG’s affiliates alongside other participants from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Enugu and Rivers states. Speaking with The Guardian, CEO of NDEBUMOG, Dr. George-Hill Anthony, lamented that the people are rarely aware of projects and programmes meant for economic empowerment of women due to lack of access to documents by ordinary citizens.

He bemoaned lack of transparency in allocations for effective service delivery, noting that just as billions are allocated to security, yet, insecurity is unabated.

According to him, though the government has the responsibility to provide basic amenities and infrastructure, such as roads, power, education, health, among others, citizens are forced to provide these amenities for themselves, due to the failure of the government to live up to its fiscal and governance responsibilities.

In a communiqué, signed by Raymond Victor (NDEBUMOG), Stiv Obodoekwe of Nigeria Civic Space Protection Alliance (NCSPA) and Joy Eze of NDEBUMOG 30 Affiliates Women Shadow Budget Groups, the participants regretted that women are often excluded from governmental structures and community governance executives.