Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has approved and signed the open governance partnership second action plan to promote transparency and accountability.
The State Steering Committee on Open Government Partnership (OGP) was inaugurated four years ago by the state government to further strengthen efforts for good governance to thrive in the state.
Dr. Abdulrazaq Alkali is the civil society co-chair (OGP), who doubles as executive director organization for community civic engagement (OCCEN) spoke to Radio Nigeria in Kano.
He noted that, open governance partnership is a multilateral initiative that promoted transparency and accountability in governance, which has yielded positive results in the state.
Dr. Abdulrazaq highlighted that, the Kano state OGP performance report, indicated that success has been achieved in terms of policy advocacy, such as the establishment of the public procurement bureau, Kano state financial management law among others.
He stressed that justice reform, education, Kano state contributory healthcare scheme were all part of the areas advocated, and turned into reality by citizens group in the coalition.
The co-chair, described inclusion of civil society as part of the committee on procurement Bureau as a development, that would go a long way in moving the state to international standards.
“OGP had initiated open contracting forum with support from PERL(ECP) and ROLAC, that brings together civil society, professionals and other government officials from relevant ministries and departments to dictate how procurement process in Kano state should be”.
Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn under it’s engaged citizens piller had supported OGP, in developing action plans and tracking to ensure implementation as well as media engagements for persistent advocacy by the citizens group.
In addition, (OGP) in collaboration with PERL and UKaid organized a 2-days retreat in Jigawa State to review the First Action Plan that was developed to run from 2018 to 2020 and to develop the Second Action Plan for more effective implementation of the OGP commitments in Kano State.
The Open Government Partnership (OGP), is an international framework designed to advance government transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to citizens.
KHADIJAH ALIYU