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Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on Wednesday, in Birnin Kebbi unveiled the Open Govt Partnership (OGP), Action Plan, in the bid to bolster good governance in the state.
The Chairman of the APC Governor’s Forum described the event as a very important milestone in improving collaboration between government and the civil societies organizations (CSOs).
According to the Governor, the happy development would also lead to more involvement in all governmental processes.
Bagudu said: “One of the cardinal principles of democratic governance is an open and transparent government.
“Such principles were the foundations upon which the APC-led federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari and the Kebbi State Government were formed. We have remained resolute and committed to transparency and accountability in all facets of government.”
The governor further stated that OGP was one of the platforms that would deepen and consolidate on the laudable achievements of the three tiers of government.
He noted that OGP would instill more transparency and accountability in governance, just as it will boost the confidence of the citizens on government and investors.
“This will give the citizens more confidence to mobilize and support the government and investors so that we will believe in each other more. So that investors will believe more in government, while the citizens will be made more abreast with the challenges of government.
“Subsequently, political leaders will be appreciated more. This will boost good governance,” the governor added.
Bagudu, among others, enumerated some initiatives introduced in the state to boost good governance. They included the passage into laws of the Judicial Autonomy and the State House of Assembly Autonomy Acts.
He averred that a number of commitments about to be signed up by the government have already been institutionalized while citizen’s engagement as part of budget preparation and implementation has become the norm of Kebbi State Government.
“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 averred.
In her remarks, Tari Wills from the National Secretariat of OGP who represented the OGP National Coordinator, Anne Nzegwu 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 government attaches to the ideals of OGP.
According to her, this was also evident with the abundance of transparency and accountability of the administration, noting that it has the interests of the people at heart.
“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,” she promised.
Also speaking, Alhaji Ibrahim Ngaski, the Co- Chairman of Non- State Actors, reiterated the commitment of the CSOs to a transformative and hopeful vision for open government that served the people of the state.
“As co – chair and steering committee members, we will focus on the three priorities, inclusion, participation and impact. For us to achieve these priorities, we will work hand in hand with the state actors to ensure timely implementation of the action plan already agreed upon,” Ngaski said.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Abba Sani Kalgo who is the Co-Chair Government, in a vote of thanks, restated the commitment of Kebbi State Government in upholding and entrenching transparency in governance as emphasized by the governor.
He thanked Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for giving his Ministry the necessary support to carry out its mandate.
Highlights of the event include inauguration of a Steering and Technical committee to oversee the successful implementation of the OGP Action Plan.