Kebbi State has unveiled an Open Government Partnership (OGP), Action Plan to enhance good governance in the state.
The Governor, Atiku Bagudu said it was an important milestone to improve collaborations between government and the Civil Society Organisations(CSOs).
Governor Bagudu said the development would also lead to more involvement in all governmental processes.
He said;”One of the cardinal principles of democratic governance is an open and transparent government.
“Such principle was the foundation upon which the APC-led Nigerian government under President Muhammadu Buhari and the State Government was formed.
”We have remained resolute and committed to transparency and accountability in all facets of government,” Governor Bagudu said.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Yahaya Sarki, the Governor stated that the OGP was one of the platforms that would deepen and consolidate on the laudable achievements of the three tiers of government.
Transparency and accountability
He noted that OGP would instill more transparency and accountability in governance, just as it would also boost the confidence of citizens in the government and investors.
The Governor said;”So that investors will believe more in government while the citizens will be more abreast of the challenges of government…political leaders will be appreciated more as it will boost good governance.”
Governor Bagudu enumerated some initiatives introduced in the state to boost good governance to include; the passage of the Judicial Autonomy and the State House of Assembly Autonomy Acts into law.
He said that a number of commitments about to be signed up by the government have already been institutionalised, while citizens’ engagement during budget preparation and implementation has become the norm of Kebbi State.
“We intend to work and build on the commitments which have not yet been achieved.
“Similarly, our track record in the inclusion of women and vulnerable persons in decision making is something this Government is very proud of,” he said
Landmark event
The representative from the National Secretariat of OGP,
Tari Wills also described the development as a landmark event to chronicle the giant strides of the Bagudu administration.
She extolled the remarkable enthusiasm with which the Bagudu-led Kebbi State govenmnet attaches to the ideals of OGP
Representing the OGP National Coordinator, Anne Nzegwu said the government’s consideration for the people was evident in the transparency and accountability of the administration.
“OGP would continue to provide support and build the capacities of the CSOs, to successfully implement the action plan in the next two years,” she said.
The Co-Chairman of Non- State Actors, Ibrahim Ngaski, reiterated the commitment of the CSOs to a transformative and hopeful vision for open government that would serve the people of the state.
“As Co -Chair and steering committee members, we will focus on the three priorities of inclusion, participation and impact.”
“For us to achieve these priorities, we will work together with the state actors to ensure timely implementation of the action plan already agreed upon,” Ngaski said.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abba Sani Kalgo, restated the commitment of the Kebbi State Government in upholding and entrenching transparency in governance as emphasised by the Governor.
Lateefah Ibrahim
