Community Based Organisations and other citizens groups have recorded a major milestone in local government accountability following a Town Hall Meeting that resulted in a commitment by the leadership of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State to include citizens in the budgeting process.
The Town Hall Meeting was held under Lawyers Alert’s ongoing project: “Strengthening the Fiscal Architecture in Local Government Governance Systems,” under the Situation Room with the support of FCDO.
The project is being implemented in Katsina-Ala and Otukpo Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The project aims to strengthen fiscal policy implementation, improve budget planning and procurement systems, and promote transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in local governance.
The engagement brought together Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Civil Society representatives, community/traditional leaders, and the leadership of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
The forum created an open platform for dialogue on how public funds are planned, spent, and monitored at the grassroots level.
At the meeting, community members expressed strong dissatisfaction over their long-standing exclusion from the local government budget process.
Participants noted that budgets are often prepared without community input, resulting in projects that do not reflect the actual needs and priorities of the people.
Following extensive deliberations, the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area leadership agreed to involve citizens and community groups in future budget planning processes, marking a significant step toward participatory and people-centred budgeting in the LGA.
The agreement underscores a shared commitment to improving trust, accountability, and service delivery at the local level.
Speaking at the meeting, Lawyers Alert emphasised that citizen participation in budgeting strengthens democratic governance and ensures that public resources are allocated more effectively.
The organisation highlighted that inclusive fiscal governance reduces waste, curbs corruption, and promotes development outcomes that directly benefit communities.
The Town Hall Meeting also addressed issues of public procurement transparency, fiscal discipline, and the need for digital tools to improve access to budget information.
Lawyers Alert reaffirmed its commitment to supporting both local governments and civil society actors with capacity-building, advocacy, and monitoring mechanisms, including participatory planning, community monitoring, and social audits.
The outcome of the Katsina-Ala engagement aligns with the project’s broader objectives of strengthening institutional capacity within local governments while empowering citizens to hold public institutions accountable for financial decisions.
The commitment secured in Katsina-Ala represents a positive shift toward inclusive local governance in Benue State.
Lawyers Alert said it will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure that citizen participation in budgeting moves from promise to practice.
By strengthening fiscal systems and promoting community oversight, the organisation aims to build transparent, accountable, and responsive local governments that truly serve the interests of the people.
