BudgIT trains A'Ibomites on budget tracking, global warming

Photo: Participants of BudgIT sensitisation meeting held at Ekong Street, Uyo last weekend BudgIT, Africa’s Leading Civic Tech Organisation, has concluded a one day sensitisation meeting aimed at training Akwa Ibom communities on the use of technological tools to ask relevant questions on governments budgets and and projects completion. The sensitization meeting also focused on enlightening the participants on the deadly effect of fossil fuels on health, environment and global warming. Speaking at the meeting held at Ekong Street, Uyo last weekend, the Akwa Ibom State officer and South South Regional Coordinator for Budgit, Mr James Akpan Moses explained that BudgIT is a civic organization that also runs tracker aimed at simplifying the states and federal governments budget to a layman understanding, using technological tools and pictorial evidence. He mentioned that Akwa Ibom state and the entire South- South region has been hit by global warming due to the effect of oil exploration, saying that the meeting was to sensitize the people on the transmission from fossil fuel to renewable energy for the good of the communities. Mr Moses noted  that the people have an important role to play by reducing the use of fossil fuels, shun deforestation, indiscriminate burning  of bushes, wat healthily, dispose waste on time, and embrace renewable energy for their own benefits and the environment. Speaking extensively on BidgIT traka, he explained that the tech-tools gives information about Constituency projects to States, which enables citizens to know the amount allocated to such projects while Govspend.com provides amount disbursed for the project. According to him, "Budgit traka has no political undertone but aims at ensuring development of the communities for the good of the people." It is an innovative tool which will keep you informed about government spending and its impact on our communities. It is a civic tech tool designed to help citizens get involved and hold their governments accountable." he emphasized. Participants on the event cuts across student groups, civil servants, traditional rulers, business owners and youth leaders across the 31 local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.