
ActionAid, Stakeholders in Kogi Charge Govt to Channel Budget on Prevention of Violent Extremism
ActionAid Nigeria and Stakeholders in support of Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in Kogi State have called on the State Government to channel it’s budgets toward addressing drivers of Violent Extremism in order to have a peaceful society.
The ActionAid Nigeria, Resilience Programme Coordinator, SARVE II project Mr Anicetus Atakpu made the call while giving the summary analysis of public spending in the prevention of violent extremism in Kogi and Nasarawa State at a one – day policy dialogue with CSO’s and Media in Lokoja on Monday.
He lamented that the higher allocation for renovation and purchase of vehicles indicated that higher priority was given to projects with a week multiplier effect in terms of job creation and social redistribution when compared to those that would create jobs and empower young people.
According to him, the capital budgets of the Government House of both States and their respective offices of their deputy governor have the higher allocation for youth – focused projects than the ministries of youth, stressing that both government does not mentioned the location where the projects will be carried out thereby leaving the implementation of the projects to the discretion of the executive governor and his deputy.
“Despite the increase in allocation to sectors that can address the contextual factors that fuel violent extremism, government allocation to key projects and programmes in Kogi and Nasarawa States do not allow for accountability, follow up and monitoring.
“Projects in Nasarawa and Kogi States 2021 budget are mostly for construction, establishment and rehabilitation of centres” he said.
Atakpu who expressed concern over the allocation to projects that does not effectively addressed social economic ills that are at the root cause of persistent cases of violent extremism, stated that there is need to engage state legislators and the executive arm of government on how the public procurement process of the states will be engendered to serve as a useful advocacy and stakeholder engagement activity.
“As an activity, there is need to engender the public procurement process and ensure that projects meant for young people or excluded groups are handled by them to allow inclusion and shared prosperity.
“The budget preparation process should give priority to citizens’ participation and involvement. This will allow for a bottom up approach to budget and oversight” he advised.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development (PIBCID) Halima Oiza Sadiq in her welcome address, said the aim of the dialogue was enable the CSO’s and the media brainstorm on policies of the government that are not implemented with a view to find a solution to them in the interest of the people of the states.
She added that the programme was part of initiated by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with PIBCID and funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF).