The African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and other civil society organisations recently signed an Open Government Partnership.
The workshop was also used to enlighten stakeholders on the meaning of OGP, detailing their roles in the implementation of the global multi-stakeholder initiative.
The conference which drew civil society organisations major players across the country signals and ignites a rail of hope for the possibility of openness and transparency in Nigeria governance structures in the nearest future.
The event was attended by over 70 participants from government and non-state actors including the private sector was held in Edo state.
The Governor of Edo Godwin Obaseki who was also at the event commended the joint efforts of civil society organisations for promoting transparency, accountability and citizen participation in governance process.
Speaking through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, the governor said: “As government we have since September 27th, 2018 subscribed to (OGP) initiative to improve the ease of doing business; improve compliance of public institutions with access to information, taking appropriate actions to co-ordinate Anti-Corruption activities, promote Fiscal Transparency as well as fascinating better citizens engagement.
Also, the co-chair (non-state actors), Mr. Leo Atakpu, said Edo State signing on to the OGP, in consideration will further entrench Government’s avowed commitment to promoting fiscal responsibility, access to information, respect for the rule of law, creating room for ease of doing business, anti-corruption, and citizens’ engagement.
According to him, “As you may be aware, the beauty of the OGP is the coming together of State and Non-State Actors to co-create policies and programmes which would be jointly implemented for the common good of all citizens.
This multi-stakeholder initiative, as it were, takes away dictatorship from state actors and reinforces citizens confidence in governance.
“As Non-State Actors promoting this initiative, our expectations are usually that we do not only engage with government for the development of these policy documents but that we continue through the process of implementation and monitoring.
“We also want to ensure that government’s projects are open to citizens for monitoring and criticism and we expect the development of citizens Feedback App as it is currently done in Kaduna State.
“The information is transmitted to the Governor in real time, such that the Governor sees what project is doing well and which require intervention to ensure that quality is not compromised,” he said.
