A Non Governmental Organisation, Accountability Lab, has called on citizens of Plateau State in North Central Nigeria to be actively involved in the execution of Government projects.
Country Director of the Organisation, Mr. Friday Odeh made the call at a one-day stakeholders forum tagged, ‘The Anti-Corruption Innovation Projects’, organized in collaboration with Open Contracting Partnership, funded by United Nations Development Programme in Jos, Plateau State capital.
He said the primary goal of the forum is to create an environment that encourages collaboration and dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, technology innovators, and the private sector.
“The stakeholder’s forum is a pivotal step towards achieving the objectives outlined in the UNDP-funded ACIP. By promoting open contracting practices, the forum will contribute to the prevention of corruption, reduction of inefficiencies, and enhancement of overall governance public projects. By fostering a culture of openness and accountability, the forum seeks to drive positive change in the field of public projects,” he stated.
Speaking on the outcome from the projects in the past, Odeh said the outcome has not been satisfying and what they have seen from the projects by Government Ministries, Department and Agencies are not satisfying.
“It is not what the citizens want in some places, in some the projects are not completed or done to the quality they wanted,” he said.
Odeh said information gathered from the stakeholders forum will be taken to the State Bureau for Public Procurement, so as to engage citizens on any intended projects.
“The outcomes of this initiative are expected to catalyze positive changes in the public service delivery landscape, ultimately benefiting the citizens.”
The Acting Director, Bureau for Public Procurement in the State, Mr. Yabilsu Dogo, commended the organisation for the laudable efforts of creating awareness to the public on issues of public procurement and project implementation.
“They are helping in informing the citizens about their rights to inquire about the projects sited in their communities and to even know that they are supposed to protect these projects and this is commendable.”
Dogo revealed that the bureau faced logistical challenges hindering its ability to carry out its duties effectively and appealed to government to come to the aid of the bureau.
Participants at the event included government officials, legislators, community members, media representatives, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), contractors, professional bodies amongst others.
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