On August 20th, 2024, HipCity Innovation Centre launched two groundbreaking initiatives, the Eviction and Demolition Reporting Tracker and the Know Your Area Council (KYAC) project, aimed at addressing pressing issues in urban governance. The events brought together participants from various organizations, including the Abuja Women Coalition, Civil Society Organizations, and the media.
The Eviction and Demolition Reporting Tracker is a web-based platform designed to monitor and document incidents of eviction and demolition, providing empirical data to advocate for policy change. The tool is intended to hold authorities accountable and ensure humane treatment of affected communities. Bassey Bassey, Executive Director of HipCity Innovation Centre, highlighted the challenges citizens face during demolition, including injuries, property destruction, and exploitation by hoodlums, leaving vulnerable individuals without support.
Similarly, the KYAC project seeks to bridge the gap between Area Councils and citizens by providing information, promoting civic engagement, and enhancing transparency and accountability. It will produce performance scorecards for elected leaders, evaluate project impacts, and offer platforms for executives to report on their activities. The project aims to address three specific goals: increasing citizen engagement, enhancing transparency, and improving accountability.
Participants praised the initiatives, emphasizing the need for citizen engagement, transparency, and accountability in urban governance. They suggested expanding the projects to rural areas, educating citizens on budget tracking, and organizing town hall meetings to clarify the roles of area councils. The importance of acknowledging and supporting the original inhabitants, who are gradually losing their ancestral ties and are often neglected, was also emphasized.
HipCity Innovation Centre expressed its commitment to collaboration and partnerships to popularize the initiatives and drive positive change in urban governance. The organization is open to working with other organizations to educate and sensitize citizens on local government functions, ensuring that the initiatives remain focused and effective.
