The International Human Rights Observatory Africa (IHRO-Africa) has begun a special training for 109 legislative grassroots monitors to enhance good governance.

Dr Chimbo Obieze, the special envoy and country director of IHRO-Africa, made this known to journalists on Saturday in Enugu.

Mr Obieze said that the special training was in pursuant of the launch of IHRO-Africa’s “The Legislators’ Diary” programme meant to monitor activities of National Assembly members to promote transparency, accountability and good governance.

According to him, the 109 grassroots monitors will undergo special training on budgeting, budget monitoring and tracking, constituency budgeting, constituency project monitoring and tracking as well as legislative good governance tracking.

He said that IHRO-Africa would start with monitoring and scrutinising of federal lawmakers’ activities and later monitor state lawmakers’ activities.

“IHRO-Africa has signed an MOU with the Institute of Security and Forensic Studies, Nigeria, to conduct training for the 109 monitors recruited from the 109 senatorial districts in the country. 

“After the training, they will go back to the grassroots and be the eyes and ears of IHRO-Africa to ensure accountability and transparency within localities,” he said.

Mr Obieze urged individuals, groups and corporates with anti-corruption stance and culture to identify with the international organisation to promote good governance and accountability for the benefit of millions of Nigerians.

“We are looking forward for a closer partnership with EFCC, ICPC, NFIU and other national and sub-national anti-corruption agencies,” he said.

Mr Obieze said that ‘The Legislators’ Diary’, meant to ensure dividends of democracy to get to Nigerians, would be internationally-funded to track all constituency projects and other things meant for the people.

He said: “The Legislators’ Diary will be a game changer as it will not be business as usual.

“It will be well-funded to ensure the desires of IHRO-Africa, floating the programme, would be achieved.

“IHRO-Africa will use The Legislators’ Diary to expose the intents of legislators and compel them to do the needful as it concerns caring and providing what is rightful and due to their constituents.”

Mr Obieze, however, praised assembly members already providing quality representation to their constituents.

“IHRO-Africa will not fail to commend and encourage lawmakers that are leading by positive examples, care, good governance and dividends of democracy to their constituents.

“These positive actions are reducing the rate of hardship and hunger as well as giving the people a sense of belonging in the country,” he added.

 (NAN)