Stephen Enoch
Stallion Times held a roundtable discussion on Saturday in Lokoja, Kogi State, focusing on constituency projects and their impact on local communities.
The event, which brought together stakeholders from government, civil society organizations, religious bodies, and the media, aimed to enhance dialogue and improve the implementation of projects that directly benefit the citizens of Kogi State.
The discussion centered around promoting citizen engagement, ensuring transparency, monitoring and tracking, and fostering accountability in the execution of constituency projects.
The roundtable aligns with the state government’s commitment to open governance and active citizen participation in decision-making processes.
In his welcome address, Isiyaku Ahmed, the Editor-in-Chief of Stallion Times, emphasized the importance of fostering citizen engagement in initiating constituency projects, encouraging community ownership, and co-creating tracking and monitoring templates for these projects.
“As civil society and media, your role is to promote transparency and accountability in constituency projects in Kogi State.
“We must hold duty bearers accountable to ensure that projects meet the actual needs of the communities they serve,” he stated.
Ahmed further stressed the need for the government to ensure that projects are driven by genuine community needs rather than political considerations.
He called on all stakeholders to work together to create an environment where constituency projects can effectively contribute to their well-being.
Ismaila Isah, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Media (SA Media), also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of citizen engagement and feedback in the implementation of constituency projects.
He said the state government, under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, is committed to transparency and accountability in project execution.
Mr. Isah commended the organizers for promoting citizen engagement, noting that community ownership of projects is crucial for their success.
The SA also highlighted the state government’s efforts in instituting open governance, citing the establishment of a needs assessment committee to engage with communities and identify their priorities.
“We are optimistic that the current administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability will address concerns around project implementation and monitoring,” Isa assured.
He then announced the government’s plan to commence a water project in central Kogi, addressing a long-standing issue in the state.
Victoria Okpanachi, a journalist with The Graphic Newspaper, emphasized the role of the media in holding duty bearers accountable.
“My role as a journalist is to ensure that duty bearers act according to the needs of the people by writing stories that clearly state their priorities regarding constituency projects.
“I am also committed to creating more awareness about the rights of the people, so they understand that constituency projects are not a privilege but a right,” Okpanachi said.
A budget officer at the Kogi Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Obans Folashade, praised the government’s efforts in transparency and accountability.
“Achieving results will be much more visible if our lawmakers and other stakeholders conduct needs assessments before carrying out projects.
“I urge them to do the right thing so that the people will have a better life because it is taxpayers money,” she stated.
Stephen Salawu, the roundtable facilitator, urged legislators to actively engage with their constituents through town hall meetings to better understand the community’s needs before initiating projects.
He emphasized the importance of keeping the implementation process free from political interference, particularly in the selection of contractors.
“Too often, legislators award projects to friends or family members, leading to incomplete work or projects that fail to meet specifications.
“Once the needs of the people are identified, legislators should focus solely on monitoring the implementation stages. Interference not only disrupts the process but also risks diverting funds and resources away from their intended purpose,” Salawu urged.
Muraina Ozovehe, the Co-Chair, Non-state Actors of Kogi State Open Government Partnership (OGP), lauded the state government’s strides in transparency and accountability.
He urged Governor Ododo to approve the OGP State Action Plan and renovate the OGP secretariat to better support their work.
“This roundtable is crucial for bringing people closer to the government and understanding its commitment to the citizens,” Ozovehe concluded.
The roundtable underscored the collective responsibility of government, civil society, and the media to ensure that constituency projects truly serve the interests of the communities in Kogi State.
