The Kogi State Government has Inaugurated the Open Government Partnership (OGP) State Steering Committee (SSC), with a promise to continue to place the State on the global map in the areas of Transparency, Accountability and Citizen Participation.
Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade made the pledge in an address on the occasion of inauguration of the State steering Committee on Open Government Partnership (OGP), held at the conference hall office of the Secretary to the State Government.
Gov. Ododo described the Inauguration of the Committee by the State Government as a reinforcement and reiteration to the Governments’ commitment to issues of Transparency.
He added that the present administration believes in transparency and open governance through having an inclusive budget that includes public opinion in budget preparation which has been in practice over the years.
The Governor assured that the State Government will continue to sensitize the people on it activities with the inauguration of the OGP, insisting that every expenditure in the State has been made open, because of it believe in transparency, accountability and openness.
“As we all know. The present administration under the dynamic Leadership of His Excellency Alhaji Usman Ododo has been in the forefront in practicing and implementing the principles of Open Government”.
“The involvement of citizens in governance has assumed a whole new dimension with the appointment of men and women in all levels Government”.
“Adopting the OGP principles will provide a stronger Platform that will deepen the existing citizen participation that is already fostered in the State”.
“The involvement of Civil Society Organisations in this programme is also a new way of ensuring effective citizens participation and ensuring accountability”.
“It is in this light that I enjoin all the members to by-in into this global Initiative for the growth and prosperity of Kogi State”.
He described the Inauguration of the OGP Steering Committee as a remarkable steps
for the growth and development of Kogi State through Open Government Partnership using Transparency, Accountability and Citizen Participation.
He noted that the Open Government Partnership is a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from national and Sub-national Governments to promote Open Government, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.
Earlier in his remarks, Hon. Asiwaju Asiru Idris, Kogi State Commissioner For Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, said the State has attained another milestone with the Inauguration of the OGP State Steering Committee.
He said the State has in the last eight years made Transparency, Accountability and Open Governance a top most priority, reason why it has been rated high by the international Community and other financial organizations, assured that with the Inauguration of the OGP, governance will be brought to the doorsteps of the citizens amidst transparency and accountability.
In his remarks, Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina, the OGP Non- State Actor (NSA) Co- Chair said over the years governance in the State has been made open, expressed optimism that with the Inauguration of the OGP State Steering Committee, said citizens will look forward to more extended openness that will enable citizens hold government accountable.
He called for collaboration for more open and inclusive government that will put the people first in governance, allow for transparency and accountability.