Group Tasks Citizens To Demand Accountability, Transparency From Public Office Holders.
The lack of capacity and necessary strategy to critically engage political office holders has been identified as a major problem to citizens.
A group, Social Development Integrated Centre a.k.a Social Action, said only citizens empowered with the right knowledge can demand transparency and accountability from those they have elected to represent their interest.
The programme manager of Social Action, Botti Isaac during a recent workshop with critical stakeholders including media and civil societies in Benin asserted that corruption has become a way of life among public officers, hence the need to train citizens to know the practical ways to engage them.
"If corruption as a culture is eradicated from the system, everything will fall in place, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure will be built", Isaac explained.
He added the group have started mobilizing citizens and groups with the necessary skills with which to engage candidates and commit them to include anti corruption agendas in their programme.
Isaac further added: "They feel to be in a political position is to acquire wealth, they are going there with that mindset, that is the fundamental problem.
"We shall use the period that they usually call for support which is before an election to enter into a social contract with them."
A participant and Spokesperson, Edo Civil Society Organization (EDO CSOs), Leftist Osazee Edigin said the workshop was designed to strategically take advantage of the electioneering promises made by the political class by getting commitment from them as well as doing a follow up on same.
Leftist Edigin frowned at politicians who made promises without considering the implications when such promises are not implemented, adding, "this happens because citizens seldom show interest in tasking them on delivering such promises."
The Public Relations Officer of the umbrella body of civil society groups in Edo state noted the training which mainstreamed accountability into electoral process in the Nigeria Delta will equip activists with the requisite tools to engage would-be public office holders.
Participants at the workshop were however unanimous on the position to commit politicians to transparency, accountability, and citizens engagement to check the problem of corruption.
A group, Social Development Integrated Centre a.k.a Social Action, said only citizens empowered with the right knowledge can demand transparency and accountability from those they have elected to represent their interest.
The programme manager of Social Action, Botti Isaac during a recent workshop with critical stakeholders including media and civil societies in Benin asserted that corruption has become a way of life among public officers, hence the need to train citizens to know the practical ways to engage them.
"If corruption as a culture is eradicated from the system, everything will fall in place, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure will be built", Isaac explained.
He added the group have started mobilizing citizens and groups with the necessary skills with which to engage candidates and commit them to include anti corruption agendas in their programme.
Isaac further added: "They feel to be in a political position is to acquire wealth, they are going there with that mindset, that is the fundamental problem.
"We shall use the period that they usually call for support which is before an election to enter into a social contract with them."
A participant and Spokesperson, Edo Civil Society Organization (EDO CSOs), Leftist Osazee Edigin said the workshop was designed to strategically take advantage of the electioneering promises made by the political class by getting commitment from them as well as doing a follow up on same.
Leftist Edigin frowned at politicians who made promises without considering the implications when such promises are not implemented, adding, "this happens because citizens seldom show interest in tasking them on delivering such promises."
The Public Relations Officer of the umbrella body of civil society groups in Edo state noted the training which mainstreamed accountability into electoral process in the Nigeria Delta will equip activists with the requisite tools to engage would-be public office holders.
Participants at the workshop were however unanimous on the position to commit politicians to transparency, accountability, and citizens engagement to check the problem of corruption.
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