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A Town Hall Meeting, THM, in Akwa-Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, has called for the completion of abandoned Constituency Projects by national legislators 

In a 13-point Communiqué at the end of the meeting recently held in Uyo, the state capital, the participants advocated for effective monitoring and tracking of all Constituency Projects in Akwa-Ibom State by end-users.

The THM organized by anti-corruption crusader, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre, WAMAC, with support from the MacArthur Foundation, identified inadequate Involvement of the communities in the design and implementation of projects and urged the state government for inclusiveness of project allocation to cater for Persons With Disability.

Traditional and community leaders were urged to uphold due diligence and transparency, while also avoiding entanglements with Politically Exposed Persons. 

Furthermore, the meeting recommended that communities, religious organizations, and community leaders take on the role of anti-corruption advocates, actively reporting corruption issues and wrongdoings through both traditional and social media channels.

Other key resolutions adopted at the THM include

Urgent Release of Budgeted Funds                                                                Participants expressed deep concern over the impact of economic challenges and infrastructural deficits on the livelihoods of citizens, urging governments to expedite the release of budgeted funds to improve the lives and welfare of the people.

Whistleblower Protection and Legal Action                                                         The meeting called for the swift implementation of whistleblower protection policies to encourage the disclosure of credible information on alleged corruption. Furthermore, it urged Civil Society Organizations and the Nigerian Bar Association to expedite legal processes hindering anti-corruption efforts.

Media Integrity and Synergy                                                                                Participants expressed concern over the prevalence of corruption within the media, particularly the practice of accepting “brown envelopes.” Journalists were urged to uphold professionalism and utilize the Freedom of Information Act to promote transparency and accountability in governance. Also, participants encouraged combined efforts between the media and Civil Society Organizations, recognizing it as a powerful tool in the ongoing battle against corruption.

The Town Hall was convened under the theme “Tackling Corruption in the Implementation of Constituency Projects: Fostering a Workable Synergy Between Media and Civil Societies in the Fight Against Corruption”, and attracted a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from the Media, Civil Society Organizations, Anti-Corruption Agencies, People living with Disabilities, Traditional Rulers, Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Organizations, the Nigeria Police Force, anti-corruption agencies, and other critical stakeholders.

Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris, Executive Director of WAMAC, highlighted the significance of unified efforts in combating corruption and affirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to driving meaningful reform and championing ethical governance ideals.