Transparency, good governance: IHRO-Africa trains 109 grassroots legislative activities’ monitors

The International Human Rights Observatory Africa (IHRO-Africa) has commenced special training for its 109 legislative grassroots monitors to enhance good governance among legislators nationwide.

Dr Chimbo Obieze, the Special Envoy and Country Director of IHRO-Africa to Nigeria, unveiled this to newsmen on Saturday in Enugu.

Obieze said that the special training was in pursuant of the launch of its “The Legislators’ Diary” programme, meant to monitor activities of the National Assembly members to promote transparency, accountability and good governance.

According to him, 109 legislative grassroots monitors will undergo special training on budgeting, budget monitoring and tracking, constituency budgeting, constituency project monitoring and tracking as well as legislative good governance tracking.

He said that IHRO-Africa would start with serious monitoring and scrutinizing of Federal Lawmakers first and later step down to the lawmakers in the state.

“IHRO-Africa has signed an MOU with the Institute of Security and Forensic Studies Nigeria to conduct weeks long training for the 109 monitors recruited from each of the 109 senatorial districts in the country.

“After the training, they will go back to their grassroots and be the eyes and ears of IHRO-Africa to ensure accountability and transparency within localities,” he said.

Obieze also urged individuals, groups and corporate with anti-corruption stance and culture to identify with the international organisation as it promote good governance and accountability for the benefit of millions of Nigerians.

“We are looking forward for a closer partnership with EFCC, ICPC, NFIU and other national and sub-national anti-corruption agencies and corporations,” he said.

Obieze said that – The Legislators’ Diary -, meant to ensure dividends of democracy to get to Nigerians, would be internationally funded to track all constituency projects and other largesse meant for the people.

He said: “The Legislators’ Diary will be a game changer as it will not be business as usual.

“It will be well-funded and even with international funding to ensure the desires of IHRO-Africa floating the programme was achieved.

“IHRO-AFRICA will use the Legislators’ Diary to expose ill-intent legislators and force them to do the needful as it concerns caring and providing what is rightful and due to their constituents.”

Obieze, however, commended assembly members that were already providing quality representation to their constituents.

“IHRO-AFRICA will not fail to commend and encourage lawmakers that are leading by positive examples, care, good governance and dividends of democracy to their constituents.

“These positive actions are already reducing the rate of hardship and hunger as well as giving the people a sense of belonging in the country,” he added.