By Abdul Kareem
Water Aid, in partnership with Mercy Corps, is spearheading a three-day workshop aimed at enhancing the budget preparation and monitoring skills of a diverse selection of stakeholders across government, civil society, and the media.
The primary objective of the workshop, as stated by Dare Oduluyi, the main facilitator, is to bolster the capacity of stakeholders, particularly those in civil society, to comprehend the intricacies of budget preparation and monitoring.
“The ultimate goal is to empower participants to effectively advocate for improved service delivery,” he said at the beginning of the training on Wednesday.
Mr Oduluyi said Nigerian leaders or duty bearers usually take advocates for granted because they lack skills and strategy for budget monitoring and advocacy. A gap he said the workshop promises to address.
“Advocacy does not mean taking the message to the decision-makers alone, but people also need to understand the process for informed participation,” he said.
The agenda for the training includes a comprehensive curriculum covering vital topics such as Understanding Budget, Budget Analysis, Budget Techniques, Budget Monitoring, and Budget Advocacy, as well as the skills, tools, and tactics for effective advocacy.
Additionally, the program will delve into the understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures, with a focus on contextualizing safeguarding matters to the unique challenges faced in Borno state.
Commencing on Wednesday and slated to conclude on Friday, February 16, the workshop is being hosted at the esteemed Golden Sand Hotel in Maiduguri. Dr. Ibrahim Abacha Umar, a prominent figure from Borno State University, serves as the main resource person, bringing his wealth of expertise to guide participants through the comprehensive training.
The collaborative effort between Water Aid, Mercy Corps, and USAID underscores the collective commitment to fostering a more informed and empowered network of stakeholders dedicated to advocating for improved service delivery and effective budget monitoring. This initiative holds the promise of igniting positive change and driving progress in the region’s development efforts.
The workshop provides a crucial platform for knowledge exchange and capacity building, with the potential to yield far-reaching benefits in advancing the cause of effective budget monitoring and improved service delivery in Borno state and beyond.
The three days workshop was organised with funding support from USAID under the Small Town #WASH Activity (STWASH) being implemented in Borno state.
The Humanitarian Times 