Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Abia State have urged Governor Alex Otti to make the budgets of all local government councils publicly available.
The groups say that transparency in local government finances is essential for accountability.
They stressed that citizens deserve to know how public funds are allocated and spent at the grassroots level. Lack of access to budget information, they noted, weakens public confidence in governance.
According to the CSOs, making local government budgets public will help reduce corruption and ensure that resources are properly utilized. They described this move as critical for improving governance across the state.
The organizations also called for timely publication of budget reports so that citizens can track spending and evaluate whether funds are being used for intended projects. Public access to this information, they said, would promote informed civic participation.
The CSOs recommended that local governments adopt clear reporting systems and hold community briefings on budget implementation. They argued that such measures would strengthen transparency and accountability.
Finally, the groups urged the state government to prioritize citizen involvement in governance. They emphasized that allowing the public to oversee budgets would enhance democracy and improve service delivery at the local level.
