Lawyers Alert Strengthens Citizen Oversight Through Budget Tracking Capacity Building for CBOs

Lawyers Alert conducted a one-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening citizen oversight on budget tracking and fiscal accountability for Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). The participating CBOs were drawn from Otukpo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State, and the project was funded by Situation Room.

In his opening remarks, Barrister Victor Eboh emphasized that the training was designed to empower CBOs to engage government institutions constructively while promoting participatory governance. He highlighted that equipping citizens with the right tools and knowledge is essential for reinforcing accountability systems and ensuring that public resources are effectively utilized for sustainable community development.

The first session, facilitated by Lawyers Alert Legal Advisor, Solomtochukwu Ozubulu, Esq., focused on the role of CBOs as watchdogs within their communities. Participants received an overview of Nigeria’s budget system, including how federal funds flow to states and local governments, the three tiers of financial planning, the Federation Account distribution process, and common bottlenecks affecting fund flow. The session underscored the importance of budget tracking as a mechanism for transparency and accountability.

Lawyers Alert Senior Communications Officer, Linus Egwu, led sessions on citizen participation in the budget process, providing participants with practical knowledge and tools to demand transparency and accountability from local government authorities regarding budget allocation and utilization. He also guided participants through practical methods to track projects in their local government areas and demonstrated the use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to enhance grassroots accountability. Participants explored federal tracking tools, including the FAAC Portal, fund releases, and project implementation monitoring.

During the workshop, participants shared experiences, highlighting successes and challenges such as delayed funds, limited project information, and low community engagement. Facilitators offered solutions, emphasizing systematic documentation, timely reporting, and collaboration with local authorities.

In the practical session, participants were divided into two groups to identify projects via the budget tracking portal and outline steps to monitor their progress and determine project status. Following the activity, participants pledged to track at least one project each in Otukpo and Katsina-Ala. The session also guided them in developing simple Community Budget Monitoring Plans.

Participants reported that the training had significantly enhanced their skills and provided them with the tools needed to effectively track projects, strengthen community participation, and hold local authorities accountable. The workshop concluded with a charge for CBOs to prioritize project tracking and share their findings with communities, fostering transparency, civic engagement, and stronger grassroots accountability.