*As Tracka sensitises Gombe, Jigawa, Sokoto communities to projects
For Project and Program Manager for Tracka, a civic technology platform Mercy Danjuma, empowering young Nigerians to take ownership of projects in their communities is a passion.
Through Tracka, technology platform deployed by BudgIT, non-governmental organisation, she has been able to train Nigerians to be active citizens.
For example, Mercy sensitised leaders of Kazaure, Roni, Yankwashi and Gwiwa Local Government in Jigawa State on the Federal Government’s constituency line item.
The project manager held community town hall meetings with residents of the communities and sensitised them on how to liaise with their elected representatives at the National Assembly.
During the meetings, the residents were informed about the project and its impact was appreciated.
She encouraged the communities to write letters to their representatives at the National Assembly, demanding for the project status and implementation.
For example, the project manager for Tracka stated that the construction of a skills acquisition center estimated at N22 million in Roni Local Government, Jigawa State has already been completed and commissioned through the advocacy of Tracka.
The residents applaud the ceaseless effort of the Tracka team towards the implementation of projects in their communities.
In Gombe, the project manager and her team also sensitised residents of Kwali community on a provision for the rehabilitation of electric pole and wires in the federal budget.
During the visit, the Tracka Project manager held a sensitisation meeting with the community head and residents.
Investigations revealed that prior to the visit of the Tracka team, the community were unaware of the project.
With the help of the Tracka project manager and her team, letters were sent to the member representing the constituency at the National Assembly.
The project was executed few months later as residents of the community were excited and applaud the Tracka team as this development is of great impact in the lives of the indigenes.
Also in Binji Local government Area, Sokoto State the Tracka project manager sensitised residents of the community to the 6Km Binji Jamali road valued at N70 million.,
According to Mercy, the team visited the community and monitored the construction of the 6km road.
“We observed that this road had been completed prior to our visit. But the residents of the community were not aware of the budgetary provision,” she stated.
According to the Tracka project manager, the team shared copies of the publications which contained details of the road project to residents of the community.
“They were shocked to believe that N70m was allocated for a road project that did not even serve up to a year. The road is a death trap as we speak as residents find it difficult to carry out their daily activities. The village head told us that the work was done with substandard materials,” she stated.
One of the leaders of Roni community, Luqman Abubakar commended Mercy for her role in ensuring that they held their representatives accountable.
“We really thank Mercy Danjuma for coming to our community. Now we can report our representatives through Tracka. Tracka has given us a platform to ensure that our representatives implement projects they nominated in the budget,” he stated.
