NDCEF 2016: Increasing Citizen Participation in Niger Delta Development

Historically, development in the Niger Delta has had limited active civic participation beyond election of the public. Citizens have not been sufficiently involved in processes of decision making around priorities, nor in the accountability processes of monitoring outcomes and results from the numerous agencies at Federal level (Niger Delta Ministry, Niger Delta Development Commission) or through the mechanisms at State level. This has invariably resulted in a development deficit and poor buy-in from people’s perspectives, as recorded from the Citizen Score cards administered by CSO groups across the Niger Delta,further deepened a history of conflict in the region, and stifled efforts by the Federal government, various regional Niger Delta institutions, and state governments to deliver on the aspirations of Niger Delta .

Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement is a governance project funded by USAID and PIND (for the Niger Delta Component) to support civil society organizations and citizens groups to advocate for reforms that improve transparency and accountability and increase inclusive governance in Nigeria. The civil society organizations are addressing critical issues which include transparency and accountability in regional Niger Delta Institutions; state and local government accountability systems across six Niger Delta states, promoting youth employment, and increasing peace and security for development.

The Niger Delta Civic Engagement Forum (NDCEF)  was conceived as a platform which provides a space for citizens to articulate their priorities, engage with key Niger Delta institution decision-makers, as well as to create a culture of active participation and citizen involvement.

The second edition of the Niger Delta Civic Engagement Forum(NDCEF), with the tagline “Increasing Citizen Participation in Niger Delta Development” aims to foster dialogue among stakeholders that will address the critical issues affecting citizen participation in governance in the Niger Delta.

NDCEF 2016 will address the role of government and citizens in engaging in participatory governance and development for the region; imperatives for inclusive development in Niger Delta; drivers for citizen’s participation and social inclusion in Niger Delta; and the role of elected officers in increasing citizen’s participation.

 

For inquiries: 

twitter: @GovtalkNG,  #NDCEF2016

Email: [email protected]

Note: This is a self-sponsored event without any registration charges.