The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has declared that effective information dissemination and every opportunity for feedback are priceless in the relationship between the government and the governed.
The minister who stated this at the official presentation of the FCT Citizens’ Engagement Platform, also identified transparency, accountability, and the provision of adequate and timely information to the citizenry as the hallmarks of good governance.
Represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the minister affirmed that the public presentation of FCT Citizens’ Engagement Platform was a step closer to attaining the objectives of having a robust government/ citizen interface that would ultimately translate into the attainment of a better quality of life for Abuja residents.
Bello, used the occasion to caution that every great advancement in technology has its drawbacks, noting that the issue of fake news has been identified as one of the flaws of the modern information age.
“It is therefore essential that we leverage technology to reach the people as quickly and as often as possible through a platform that is easy to use, very accessible and above all else, a veritable and trusted means of information which provides an opportunity for feedback.
“The Citizens’ Engagement Platform which consists of 2 websites and a mobile application has all of these features and I am informed is being used very effectively by residents of the FCT in the successful management of Covid-19 and other essential services such as traffic management and provision of security,” he stressed.
In the same vein, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, noted that the official presentation was a clear demonstration of the determination of the present Administration to ease residents’ authority contacts, provide better public services, make governmental internal decision-making processes more efficient, and increase possibilities for public participation in democratic processes.
Represented by the Chief of Staff to FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bashir Mai-Bornu, she said the platform should sustain democracy and good governance especially in this era of reduced public interactions due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, a new normal that calls for the rebuilding of all sectors to create change-makers who are ready to face global challenges.
While commending the Acting Director of FCT Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, and her management team for this developmental stride, she called on operatives of the FCTA, to fully adopt and utilise the platform as a fundamental tool in public service delivery.
Dominica Nwabufo
