By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
The six area council Chairmen, Speakers and secretary in the Federal Capital Territory have pledged their readiness to join an open government partnership which is based on the idea that an open government is more accessible, more responsive, and more accountable to citizens and that improving the relationship between people and their government has long-term, exponential benefits for everyone.
The Executive Chairman of Kwali Area Council who doubled as the National Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Hon. Danladi Chiya stated this at the OGP onboarding sessions for the FCT area councils stakeholders meeting, Abuja.
The Algon Chairman informed that six area councils Chairmen have gotten to know the open government partnership, OGP, and they are willing to key into the Programme.
"The Chairmen in the six area councils that have gotten to know the OGP have key in and we have agreed to partner with the OGP because we have seen AMAC already benefiting."
According to him, "We delay joining because the information did not get down to the council Chairmen at the grassroots level on time, saying the six area council Chairmen are ready to give in in this programme.
"you could see today be Monday, all the council's Chairmen are here to key in on the programme that's to tell you the importance of the programme."
The Executive Director, African Centre For Leadership, Strategy and Development, Monday Osasah advocated for national and sub-national governments to embrace the open government partnership holistically.
Osasah hinted that OGP helps government and citizens to work together so that the issues that are usually encumbered like the issue of trust, issues of monitoring, and issues of government projects will be dealt with and there will be no issues as to what citizens should do in terms of monitoring of government policies, programmes and projects.
He noted that 25 states have signed up to the open government partnership, OGP.
He called on the remaining five local governments in the Federal Capital Territory to join the OGP if they want to promote good governance.
Also, the Lead Team, Dean Initiative, Semiye Michael said as a civil society organisation our responsibility is to continue to support the government to ensure that they introduce good governance enablers that ensure that citizens benefit a lot better from the government.
He said for information not to have been getting to the grassroots was based on a purported left behind scenario that's why meetings like this are scheduled to correct whatever leaving behind activities have taken place over the years.
During his presentation, an expert on public governance, Abayomi Akinbo said OGP is a broad partnership that includes members at the national and local level and thousands of civil society organizations.
According to him, more than 70 countries and over 100 local governments representing more than two billion people are members of OGP. All OGP governments sign on to the Open Government Declaration and are required to work with civil society organizations to co-create reforms as part of an action plan that can deliver real benefits to citizens.
"Government leaders and civil society advocates came together to create a unique partnership to promote transparent, participatory, inclusive and accountable governance".
"This unique model ensures that civil society organizations or direct citizen engagement have a role in shaping and overseeing governments.
No comments
Post a Comment