News - News Agency Of Nigeria

Constituency projects: CODE, El-Rufai partner to deepen citizens’ engagement, promote accountability (Page 1,941)

By Angela Atabo

The Connected Development (CODE) and Mohammed Bello-El-Rufai are collaborating toward promoting transparency, accountability and to deepen citizens’ engagement in constituency projects.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello-El-Rufai is a Member, Federal House of Representatives, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja on Wednesday, to promote citizens’ interest in government spending and curb corrupt practices in the implementation of constituency projects in Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

Bello-El-Rufai, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Banking Regulations, said he entered into the partnership as an advocate for transparency to build trust in his constituents.

“We as a country have a history of corruption, regardless of party, regardless whether it is a democracy or military regime, Nigeria continuously ranks not so well on the corruption index.

“So the way to tackle that is to give civil society a chance. This is the right thing to do for the people I represent, for my own sanity, and to check my own humanity.

“With this out there. Wherever a project comes, we earmark it, we see the figure and the CODE team on ground in my constituency will be there tracking the job.

“That way, any of us that are even tempted to do what is wrong will not because the recording of this MoU signed to commit to transparency and accountability would be played and I will look like an idiot.’’

Bello-El-Rufai expressed his desire to also be an advocate, lobbying so that other members of the House would do the same.

He said he picked CODE for partnership to be able to deliver the dividends of democracy to his constituents and called on fellow members to reach out to other agencies to get their jobs done and ensure proper tracking.

He said it was imperative for members to do it, “this is what we have to do to ensure members know what they do and to gain public trust.’’

Mr Hamzat Lawal, the Chief Executive of CODE and the Founder of Follow the Money, said history was made by signing the MoU compelling CODE and a sitting House of Representatives Member to work jointly.

According to Lawal, the partnership will compel the parties to build an adopted tool to nominate constituency projects that depicts the needs and aspirations of the constituents.

“After this, money will be earmarked and released for implementation. We have also agreed in the document that we will jointly monitor the utilisation of these funds, engaging his constituents.

“Most importantly, when he has constituency meetings, we will also be there to monitor and observe how he engages his constituents at the local level.

“Tis is to ensure that whatever he brings to the floor of the National Assembly reflects the wishes and aspirations of his people.’’

Lawal said that CODE had enjoyed support from the MacArthur Foundation for the past five years in Kaduna state working around education, healthcare, access to water sanitation and hygiene but most importantly, deepening citizens’ engagement in government processes.

He said that the MoU was proof that truly, lawmakers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) could work together to ensure citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy.

He called on other lawmakers to follow suit.

“Our hope is that Honourable Bello-El-Rufai will lead the change on the floor of the green chambers to get all the lawmakers to even institutionalise it.

“The speaker should adopt a motion that they will work with CODE and Follow the Money to ensure that all lawmakers will use this tool to nominate projects and jointly track them with CSOs and their constituents," he said.’ (NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Constituency projects: CODE, El-Rufai partner to deepen citizens’ engagement, promote accountability

By: Philip Daniel Yatai

On: November 22, 2023

In: Politics

With: 0 Comments

By Angela Atabo The Connected Development (CODE) and Mohammed Bello-El-Rufai are collaborating toward promoting transparency, accountability and to deepen citizens’ engagement in constituency projects. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello-El-Rufai is a Member, Federal House of Representatives, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency. Both parties signed a MemorandumContinue Reading

FCTA demolishes ‘panteka’ market at Apo-Dutse

By: Philip Daniel Yatai

On: November 22, 2023

In: Metro

With: 0 Comments

By Philip Yatai The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished a popular ‘panteka’ (scavengers) market at Apo-Dutse, Abuja, and cleared surrounding shanties in the area. Speaking to journalists after the exercise in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, the Director, Development Control, FCTA, said the demolition was theContinue Reading

NOC to strategise for 2024 Olympics, holds AGM Dec. 13

By: Muhyideen Jimoh

On: November 22, 2023

In: Sports

With: 0 Comments

By Emmanuel Afonne The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) says it will strategise for the country’s 2024 events, especially the Olympics at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for Dec. 13. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NOC, Tony Nezianya, said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. Nezianya added thatContinue Reading

ECOWAS parliamentary group calls for end to sanctions on Niger Rep.

By: Muhyideen Jimoh

On: November 22, 2023

In: Foreign

With: 0 Comments

By Maureen Okon Some members of the ECOWAS Parliament on Wednesday called on the Heads of States of the regional body to end the sanctions on Niger Republic, imposed after a military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that nine members of theContinue Reading

2023 CLPA: Policy cohesion imperative for implementation of AfCFTA agreements, others

By: Olawunmi Ashafa

On: November 22, 2023

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Kamal Tayo Oropo Some policy experts and stakeholders have called for policy cohesion across Africa for successful implementation of multilateral policy decisions. They spoke on Wednesday during one of the plenaries at the 2023 Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA), holding in Addis Ababa. The CLPA, fifthContinue Reading

Petroleum tankers waiting to load product

We’II work with FG, no more strike – Petroleum tanker drivers

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: November 22, 2023

In: Oil & Gas

With: 0 Comments

By Emmanuella Anokam The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) has restated the association’s resolve to negotiate with the Federal Government on issues instead of embarking on strike. Mr Lucky Osesua, the National Chairman of PTD, gave the assurance at a news briefing on Wednesday on the crisis rocking the association throughContinue Reading

Mr Victor Muruako, Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission

FRC Chairman proposes formula for sub-national debt sustainability

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: November 22, 2023

In: General News, Economy/Business

With: 0 Comments

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus The Executive Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Mr Victor Muruako, has called for the implementation of the 22-point Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) and the SFTAS Delivery-Linked Indicators (DLIs). Muruako, while making the call on Wednesday in Ilorin at a workshop on Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Sustainability, saidContinue Reading

Electrification agency inaugurates energy management control centre

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: November 22, 2023

In: Economy/Business

With: 0 Comments

By Constance Athekame The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) on Wednesday inaugurated an Energy Management System (EMS) Control Centre to host all mini-grids in the country to boost electricity access to Nigerians. The project which reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment towards increasing energy access to un-served and underserved areas nationwide wasContinue Reading

Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan urges electoral reforms

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: November 22, 2023

In: Politics

With: 0 Comments

By Naomi Sharang The Senator representing Kogi Central, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) has called for electoral reforms to make elections more credible in the country. Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Local Content said this while briefing newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday. The lawmaker while recalling her battle and subsequentContinue Reading

ICRC strengthens capacity of journalists to address pre-hospital injuries

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: November 22, 2023

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Franca Ofili The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday in Abuja trained journalists on first aid, with the aim of strengthening their capacity to address pre-hospital injuries. The Communication Coordinator of ICRC, Mr Qusai Alazroni, said that the training was necessary to enable them save lives,Continue Reading

Follows Us

Constituency projects: CODE, El-Rufai partner to deepen citizens’ engagement, promote accountability (Page 1,941)