Connected Development, (CODE) a pan-African organization has introduced its project, (Open Parly) to Anambra State House of Assembly as part of its contribution towards better service delivery through improved relationship between the lawmakers and their constituents.
CODE is a Non-Governmental Organisation with a mission to empower grassroots communities in Africa with information to hold their government accountable to aid the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and drive social change through the instrumentality of informed citizen engagement and rebuilding trust in the governance process.
The advocacy visit to the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, was to inform him of the inclusion of Anambra among “Open Parly” project states.
The Founder of CODE, Hamzat Lawal, explained that the organisation, which has attained a special observer status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), has other products like Follow the Money (FTM), Uzabe, and EMOC.
Represented by CODE’s Support Officer in Anambra State, Ujunwa Ananwude, Lawal explained that “Open Parly” which started in three states has been scaled to six states including Anambra. “We commenced the project, Open Parly in Yobe, Oyo, and Kwara States, funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Through the work done in the States for two years, we scaled up to another three states including Anambra through the support from Magamba Network.
“Open Parly aims to bring governance to the people through the creation of platforms that are interactive, give visibility to the legislative processes and get communities adequately informed on how they are being represented, while they also lend their voices and hold their elected representatives accountable.
“In practical terms, it helps communities to track, monitor, and document, state house of assembly performance, which will be used to engage legislatures and policy-makers, thus promoting citizens-centered decision making.
According to Lawal, the project which is about strengthening democratic practices and fostering transparency within the state houses of Assembly, will involve the production of a civic space survey that will assess the extent of the shrinking civic space within Nigeria and Uganda. “This survey will serve as a powerful tool to raise awareness about the challenges faced in maintaining an open and accountable democratic system,” he explained.
“We have been able to develop a manual on how citizens should engage their state legislators and enlighten them on the roles of their lawmakers. We intend to open the processes of the state parliament to the public so that citizens will understand the processes and duties of their representatives.
“Also, we started implementing ProjectTrust here in Anambra, engaging the ministries of Health, Education as well as Power and Water Resources on ways to improve service delivery in the interest of the citizens. We track public funded projects with the aim of ensuring that they deliver value to the citizens”.
“We are here to seek result-oriented partnership which will further enhance your relationship with your constituents. Through your kind permission, we intend to reach every member to share the goal and objectives of the project with them. We will like to feature some members during our Radio Programme tagged “Know Your Lawmaker”.
During our town hall meeting, we will be inviting you and update you of our activities under this project in Anambra State.
“We will like you sir to take a date for a live streaming programme during which you can address the citizens, educate them about your office, the work of the lawmakers, and their role as citizens in good governance, while you also take questions from them about lawmaking.
Responding, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Udeze, welcomed the team and expressed readiness to work with members in the interest of the state. “This is a public institution. We are open as long as the group is open to work with us.
“We have a challenge around the financial autonomy which restricts members from certain things outside their scope. Most members have time they do their town hall meetings. Before now, JDPC also organised townhall meetings and invited members to engage their constituents. It makes it cheaper for members.
The Speaker however requested the group to articulate all that they want from him and other lawmakers and share with him. “I will study it and see how to help you to interact with members for their buy-in. Also, remember that this is a lawmaking body. We don’t give out contracts. Some of us here do some other things like farming to survive.”
“We can always fix a time to have a more robust discussion on this project. But like I earlier mentioned, we are ready to work with you if you are open to work with us,” the Speaker concluded.
