Kebbi Govt, ACLSD Partners On Open Govt, Action Plan Validation

By Ismail Bayo, Birnin Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government and African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development have partnered on open government (OGP) and action plan validation for good governance in the state.

While declaring open a three day sensitization retreat in Birnin Kebbi, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said Open Government Partnership (OGP) was one of the platforms that would strengthen his administration on what it has been doing in terms of transparency and accountability.

The governor stated that he has no doubt that the initiative would inculcate collaboration between government and civil society organizations in such a way that, they would be more involved in government projects.

The governor stressed that one of the cardinal principle of democratic governance is open and transparent. "Even when we operate an open government, we need to appreciate that for government to do better, for government to do differently, people should be encouraged to introduce bold and courageous initiatives that they can depend on, he said.

"We have remained resolute and committed to transparency and accountability in all facets of government", he said.

He stated that OGP would deepen and consolidate on the laudable achievements of the three tiers of government in Kebbi State. "It will instill more transparency and accountability in governance , just as it will boost the confidence of the citizens on government and investors .

"This will also give the citizens more confidence to mobilize and support government and investors so that we will believe in each other more .The citizens will be made more abreast with the challenges of government", Bagudu said.

He averred that a number of commitments about to be signed by his administration have already been institutionalized while citizens engagement as part of budget preparation and implementation has become the norm of Kebbi State Government.

In her remarks, representative of the national coordinator of OPG, Tari Wills described initiative as a landmark event to chronicle the giant strides of the Bagudu led administration.

The national coordinator said OGP would continue to provide support and as well as build the capacities of the CSOs, to successfully implement the action plan in the next two years.