The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has emphasised the need for greater public participation in monitoring government finances, describing citizen oversight as a vital tool for promoting transparency and accountability in public administration.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the commission’s Acting Chairman, Charles Abana, said effective public scrutiny helps strengthen fiscal governance by discouraging corruption and encouraging the responsible use of public resources.
According to Abana, Nigerians have an important role to play in ensuring that government funds are managed transparently and used for their intended purposes.
He urged citizens to take a more active interest in how public funds are spent, stressing that accountability should be demanded at all levels of government.
“Citizens must take greater interest in how public resources are managed at all levels of government. Fiscal governance challenges exist at the federal, state and local government levels. The local government remains the closest tier of government to the people,” he said.
Abana identified limited citizen involvement in governance processes as one of the major obstacles to achieving stronger transparency and accountability in the country.
He noted that recent efforts by the Federal Government to enhance financial autonomy and increase allocations to states and local councils would yield better results if citizens actively tracked how those resources were utilised for development projects and public services.
According to him, there is still a need for greater public engagement in monitoring expenditure, project execution and overall government performance.
“Public officials manage resources on behalf of the people and should be able to explain how those resources are used,” he said.
Abana explained that the Fiscal Responsibility Act empowers citizens to seek information and clarification from public institutions, encouraging residents to monitor projects and programmes implemented in their communities.
He also called on communities to maintain regular engagement with government officials on issues relating to budget implementation and service delivery.
“Democracy works best when citizens are actively involved in governance. Elected leaders are entrusted with public resources and are expected to use them for the benefit of the people.
“Citizens should remain interested in governance issues beyond election periods. Holding leaders accountable should not be left solely to opposition parties.
“Every citizen has the right to demand accountability from public office holders,” he added.
The FRC chairman further advised government officials to consult local communities before initiating projects, noting that development programmes should address the genuine needs and priorities of residents.
He said stronger communication and collaboration between governments and citizens would contribute to improved service delivery and more effective governance.
Abana reiterated the commission’s resolve to advance fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability while encouraging the efficient and responsible management of public funds across the country.