A digital platform has been established for all Kaduna state residents to send in their needs and demands during budget processes and adequate feedback mechanism to expedite development in line with the Open Government Partnership policy of the state.
At a summit to unveil the platform, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Planning and Budget Commission Hajiya Umma Aboki said the governmenmt had since contacted some telecom operators in the country to increase access to government information for improved transparency and accountability to the people.
The commissioner, emphasised that in line with the Open Governnent Partnership Policy of which she is a co-Chair, Kaduna state had gone into an e-procurement model whereby contracts are published for the public to view online.
According to her, the state was the first at subnational level to sign the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and took the steps to ensure citizens engagement, where they can hold government accountable for what it is doing.
Hajiya Ummi Aboki commended organizers of the event, Ihifix Innovation Foundation, with support from Arewa Research and Development Project, Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, CALPED, and Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL).
In his remarks, Contact Person of the OGP, Mr. Jeremiah Tera said the digital platform will greatly assist the implementation of the OGP which started in 2017 with the aim of enhancing transparency, accountability and citizens participation in governance.
According to him, the step will improve the state’s ability to attract foreign investment and enhance access to additional development funds.
Convener of the event, Emmanuel Odeh Adikpe said it was organized to look into practical ways in which governments at all levels and citizens can evolve concrete participatory governance reforms and accelerate the delivery of quality public services leveraging on digital technologies.
He commended the OGP programme by the Kaduna state government ,urging it to adhere to agreement of the policy, for transparency, accountability and citizens engagement.
Cover/Shindong Bala