Centre LSD implemented the project Enhancing Citizens’ Participation in the Budgetary Process in Bayelsa State from August, 2011-Janaury, 2012 and from 2012 – 2013. During the implementation of the project, there was analysis of Bayelsa State budget from 2007-2011. The second phase was to consolidate the gains and deepen the engagements of the first phase.
Intervention Projects
Prior to the intervention 2011 – 2012, Bayelsa State budget process was characterized with some chronic challenges including;
Incremental budgeting without linkage to sectoral priorities.
Budgets were characterized by lumping and so disaggregation was an issue.
Budget for government House was more than the budget of four ministries (Health, Agriculture, Education and Infrastructure put together.
Teacher pupil ratio was 1:168
The budget process was not opened for citizens participation.
Intervention Projects
The advocacy approach that was deployed in the project influenced the following;
Declaration of a state of emergency in the educational sector in 2012.
Embrace of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
For the first time and which has remained a practice, the invitation and involvement of civil society in budget defense by Ministries.
Improved budgetary allocation to Education, Health, Agriculture and infrastructure.
