NEWS DIGEST – A non-governmental organization, Connected Development has blamed the Niger Delta Development commission for denying it access to information on projects amounts despite the provision of the Freedom of Information Act.
Connected Development (CODE) through its Follow the Money Initiative, has been tracking and monitoring the implementation of capital funds intended for rural communities in the thematic areas of education, environment and health, Follow the Money is a network of 1000+ activities through which rural dwellers are given the opportunity of holding government accountable on health, education and environment.
In a press conference today in Kano, the Chief Executive of Connected Development Mr. Hamzat Lawal stated the difficulty they are facing in accessing information from most of the government MDAs.
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“Institutions such as the NDDC, BCDA, Kano State Garun Malam and Kumbotso LGAs, NPHCDA and Delta State government have failed to provide key data as requested on project amounts, contractor, details and bills of quantities.
“Out of the 31 communities we worked in, only 4 were duly aware of the projects or appropriations before we informed them. This showcases poor participatory budgetary processes and non involvement of the communities during needs assessment.
This is undesirable on the part of the government. It also suggests weak and impecunious over sight roles of the legislature”. He said.
Mr. Hamza added that out of the 500 billion budget for the Niger Delta in 2017 to provide basic amenities to the people, the organization was not able to track the said amount.
The organization further call on National Assembly to quickly forward the constitutional amendment bill to the President for assent, it commended the 31 states house of assembly’s passage of the Not too young to run bill.
