CSO, others task Nasarawa government to adopt Open Government Partnership, inclusivity in governance

Governor Sule of Nasarawa State

By Ahmed Tahir, Lafia

Civil Society groups and other participants at a social accountability close-up event, have called on Nasarawa State government to adopt measures aimed at inclusion of all segments of the society in the governance of the state.
They particularly urged the state government to initiate a legislation aimed at adopting Open Government Partnership (OGP), a multilateral and multinational initiative that seeks to create a collaboration between government and civil society.
They spoke during the social accountability fellowship 2024 close-out event organiser by Promad Foundation, a nongovernmental and non-profit organisation, in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
Speaking at the occasion, executive director, Centre for Citizens Right, Professor Adamu Abdulazeez said the adoption of the OGP would enable the government to key into the many reforms drivable from the initiative.
He also urged the state government to domesticate the freedom information law which allows citizens to demand for accountability and participate in governance.
The executive director also advocated for the inclusion and participation of young people, women and persons with disability in decision making on how the state is run.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Director General, Strategic Communications and Press to Governor Abdullahi Sule, Mr. Yakubu Lamai said although the state government has not adopted the OGP, it is however, working through other good governance initiatives to entrench accountability in how government business is transacted.
He said the state government has been using the procurement law in ensuring that all contracts are advertised for bidding whereby only competent companies get the jobs.
Mr Daisi Omokungbe, Founder and Executive Director, Promad Foundation, said there is every need for citizens to participate in governance in order to hold government accountable.
He said there is much progress in the issue of accountability and transparency in governance in Nasarawa State especially with the current administration.
He, however, explained that the Promad initiative through human-centered workshops and training targeting the youths, will further ensure that government policies and projects are pro-people.
Coordinator, Promad Foundation, Mr Emmanuel Sani said 13 youths across all the local government areas of the state, were selected and trained on various modules of social accountability for two months.
The training areas according to him include public project participation, project reporting and monitoring, budget participation, audit efficacy, gender equality and social inclusion.
He said the training prepared the participants with the requisite knowledge and data to engage government on good governance.
He noted that the participants are expected to step down their knowledge to other youths in their respective localities to allow for collective engagement that will propel good governance in the state.