The Kaduna State Government has commenced the implementation of the Open Governance Partnership, OGP, of the federal government aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and citizen participation in governance.
The state’s Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Muhammad Abdullahi, said this in Kaduna on Monday at the inauguration of the partnership in the state.
Mr. Abdullahi said that the state subscribed to the OGP to principally improve fiscal transparency, anti-corruption, access to information and citizens engagement and empowerment.
According to him, the step will improve the state’s ability to attract foreign investment and enhance access to additional development funds.
“OGP was earlier launched by eight countries namely Brazil, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, UK and the U.S.
“Nigeria subscribed to OGP on May 11, 2016, making it the 70th country to join.
“Kaduna State is, therefore, the first in the country to subscribe to the OGP, because of the willingness of the government to be open and transparent.”
Mr. Abdullahi said that the state subscribed to seven of the 14 commitment areas for implementation.
He listed them to include ensuring citizen participation in budget circle, open contracting, adopt common reporting standard, promote ease of doing business and improve compliance with Freedom of Information Act.
Others are to develop permanent dialogue mechanism on transparency, accountability, and good governance between citizens and government and adopt technology-based citizen’s feedback on government project and programmes.
The commissioner said that state OGP Steering Committee, the Technical Working Committee and the Civil Society Organisations would be trained on its principle. Read the full story here.