THE STATE ACCOUNTABILITY AND VOICE INITIATIVE (SAVI) AND BUDGETARY PROCESSES IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA, 2010-2015

Abstract

This study evaluated the role of the State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI)  in budgetary processes in Enugu State between 2010 and 2015. Specifically, the study investigated why SAVI’s engagement with the government in the area of capacity building has not improved citizens’ participation in budgetary processes in Enugu  State. In generating data for the study, documentary method of data collection, based on secondary sources, was adopted. Interviews were also conducted with relevant stakeholders. To analyze the data generated, the study used content analysis, anchored on the Systems Theory. The study revealed that despite the intervention of SAVI and its partners to encourage a participatory budget decision-making process, Enugu State government still practiced a closed budget system. In other words, lack of commitment on the part of government accounts for the failure of SAVI in engendering increased citizen’s participation in budgetary processes in Enugu State between. The study, therefore, recommends that Enugu State government should not only make all budget documents available to the public, but should also make the Visit Every Community (VEC) project an important component of the budgetary system. It also recommends that SAVI should further strengthen its capacity to engage with the government as well as embark on enlightenment campaigns to sensitize the public on the need to actively get involved in budgetary processes.