The District Chief Executive for Nabdam, Francis Yenwona Tobig, has underscored the critical role of citizen vigilance in safeguarding public funds and ensuring quality development outcomes in the district.
Speaking at a social auditing forum organised by the Nabdam District Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr. Tobig stressed that active community monitoring of projects is essential to preventing substandard work and accelerating local development.
The engagement, held at the District Assembly, formed part of activities under the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) programme—an initiative commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance.
Mr. Tobig recounted a recent incident in which an Assembly Member alerted him to alleged poor workmanship on a school project. Upon inspection, he said, officials discovered that some building blocks had been poorly moulded with inadequate cement, compromising their strength and durability. The contractor was promptly directed to correct the deficiencies and meet the required standards.
According to the DCE, such swift interventions are only possible when residents remain alert and willing to report irregularities without fear. He assured the public that his administration welcomes constructive criticism and lawful demands for transparency, adding that no one would be victimised for raising genuine concerns.
He urged residents to set aside partisan considerations and prioritise the district’s collective progress, noting that accountability and quality project execution are vital to creating meaningful employment opportunities and delivering value for money.
The social auditing session reinforced the importance of collaboration between citizens, assembly members, and district authorities in strengthening governance and ensuring that development initiatives truly benefit the people of Nabdam.
