Policy Alert, a civil society organisation in Akwa Ibom State, has called on the state government and the Fiscal Responsibility Board to institutionalize quarterly town hall briefings on fiscal activities across the local government areas in the state.
The CSO noted that such forum would help to track performance, document community priorities, and ensure budgets remain aligned with citizens’ needs and aspirations.
Idorenyin Eyo of Policy Alert made the call during an advocacy visit on the Chairman of Uyo LGA and Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in the state, Dr Uwemedimo Udo at the local government secretariat Uyo.
The visit was part of the project tagged, ‘Prioritizing Communities: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Administration’, implemented by Policy Alert with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, NYFF.
Eyo stated that public participation in the budget process is not just a legal requirement but a democratic tool that strengthens trust, ensures accountability, and guarantees that public spending truly reflects community priorities.
“‘When citizens contribute to planning, budget formulation and monitoring, government becomes more transparent, more responsive and more effective.
“We recognize the leadership demonstrated by the state government in taking budget consultations to all federal constituencies. To sustain and expand this
progress, we call for partnership with the Fiscal Responsibility Board to institutionalize quarterly town hall briefings across all local government areas,” she said.
Responding the ALGON chairman stated that his administration has been passionate in open governance, noting that since the inception of his administration he has been having budget briefing/town hall meetings for needs assessment of various communities.
On sustaining the town hall briefings even when he leaves office, the chairman promised to meet with the legislature on how to make a byelaw that would institutionalize it.