Ayo: "I heard they are starting the road project by OP market square. They've even begun clearing the ground."
Bisi: "Really? They should continue. Until I use that road, I no go believe anything. Is this the first time government promised to fix roads?"
Ayo: "Toh! Me I don comot mind from them already."
Reflecting on the dialogue above, it is clear to see a common attitude among many of us towards infrastructure development - a mix of skepticism and resignation. Ayo represents the common voice of disappointment, having seen too many projects start with a bang only to whimper to a halt or never quite reach completion. Bisi, on the other hand, embodies a wait-and-see approach that stems from countless broken promises.
The recurring issue of poor infrastructure has persistently plagued Nigeria. it is a topic of discussion everywhere - from banter on public buses, to Twitter timelines, cutting across all social classes. Yet, amidst this shared concern and public outcry, the big question remains - who is to blame?
There are various half truths that come in the form of: “The government isn't doing enough”. “Politicians are embezzling our funds”. “Contractors are delivering substandard work”. Some conversations even go as far as asking if Nigeria is cursed, as evidenced by numerous abandoned and incomplete projects. However, one less-explored "truth" is, “Do citizens also bear some responsibility for the poor state of infrastructure?”
It is undeniable that citizens are directly affected by the state of infrastructure. They rely on functional roads, efficient healthcare facilities, and reliable power supplies in their daily lives. Thus, they stand to benefit the most when infrastructure projects are effectively executed and to lose the most when they are not. Acknowledging this, it is critical for citizens to actively engage in the development and oversight of these projects.
Citizens should take ownership of infrastructure projects. While government officials, planners, and contractors are charged with executing these initiatives, they are also accountable to the citizens they serve. Taking ownership involves being informed, and holding those responsible to account for their promises. So what are these promises?
Every year, various governments release a budget document containing projects they plan to execute that year, but over the years, access to this project data in Nigeria has been somewhat limited. However, recent initiatives aim to improve this.
In 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP), a commitment to making national and state budgets more transparent and accessible. In addition to this, the launch of the Eyemark offers a significant step forward. Listing over 40,000 Federal Government projects, Eyemark provides comprehensive data - including project cost, timeline, contractor details, and the overseeing government agencies.
With such information at our fingertips, we can get involved in our own way, by staying informed, tracking the progress of projects, and offering comments and suggestions where needed.
While other factors such as corruption, poor planning, amongst others, contribute to the poor state of infrastructure in Nigeria, citizens' involvement can be a game changer.
The use of applications like Eyemark can help in tracking and giving feedback on roads, schools, and other government constructions going on around us.
Every Nigerian has a part to play, and by harnessing tools like Eyemark, we can all make a significant difference.
Ola,
For Eyemark
