The Kogi State government has taken a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in governance by adopting the two-year action plan of the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
The adoption of the State Action Plan was made possible through the collaboration of Center LSD and the generous support of the MacArthur Foundation. After a comprehensive two-day review of the draft Action Plan, it was officially endorsed.
This milestone achievement comes just two months after the inauguration of the state steering committee by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, he expressed his commitment to the OGP initiative.
The steering committee comprises both state actors and non-state actors who play crucial roles in driving progress.
Co-chaired by Asiwaju Ashiru, the State Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning, representing the state actors, and Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, Chairperson of Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), representing non-state actors, the steering committee will spearhead the implementation of the action plan.
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) serves as a global platform that fosters collaboration between citizens and government, enabling meaningful discussions on development and governance issues.
From the initial stages of preparation and planning to the ultimate realization, citizens are actively involved in the process. The OGP framework introduces reforms that empower citizens and hold the government accountable.
The two-year action plan in Kogi State focuses on four key thematic areas: Fiscal Transparency, Access to Information, Service Delivery, and Extractive Transparency.
Through these targeted areas, the government aims to enhance financial accountability, facilitate public access to information, improve service delivery to citizens, and promote transparency in the extractive sector.
The adoption of the OGP action plan signifies the Kogi State government’s unwavering commitment to fostering an open and inclusive governance system.
By actively involving citizens in decision-making processes and ensuring transparency, the government aims to build trust, strengthen accountability, and drive sustainable development for the benefit of all residents.
