The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) is set to commence a training programme for people at the grassroots to enable them actively engage in budget processes as a tool for socio-economic development.

The programme is being held with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and will go on simultaneously across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Rasheedat Okoduwa, ICPC’s Spokesperson, made this known during a meeting with civil society organisations in Abuja on Thursday.

She said that the programme would ensure that the needs of people at the grassroots are fully captured in the budget for accelerated development.

“The outcome should be a citizenry empowered with confidence, skills, knowledge to recognize their rights and accept responsibility to demand those rights through constructive engagement,” Okoduwa said.

She also acknowledged the support of UNDP to anti-corruption programmes in Nigeria.

Also speaking at the meeting, Mandisa Mashologu, Country Director of UNDP, said that civil society organisations have a very crucial role to play in nation building.

Mashologu, who was represented by Segun Olusola, noted that the project was approved based on the successes recorded in previous similar training programmes on the involvement of people at the grassroots in budget processes.