…says the CSOs have the responsibility to engage in constructive partnership with Anambra State Government to implement the co-created commitments
Anambra State government has canvassed for constructive partnership with the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) towards the implementation of Open Government Partnership.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning/OGP Co-Chair Anambra State, Chiamaka Nnake stated this in Awka during at a 2-Day Sensitization Meeting on OGP organised by African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) with support from MacArthur Foundation under the project “Promotion of Transparency and Accountability, through the implementation of OGP”, in partnership with Anambra State Open Alliance and the Ministry of Economic Planning.
She noted that the partnership should be devoid of rancor, mistrust, or doubt, stressing that the success or failure of the initiative remained the responsibility of both parties.
She said, “OGP is an international multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and responsiveness to citizens through technology and innovation.
“It is a symbiotic relationship between the government and civil society to bring about effective reform and good governance to facilitate the credibility of governance and improved service delivery.
“The Civil Society Organizations have the responsibility to engage in constructive partnership with Anambra State Government to implement the co-created commitments.
“This partnership should be devoid of rancor, mistrust, or doubt. The success or failure of this initiative is the responsibility of both parties.”
The Commissioner further explained that Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration had continued to ensure all OGP principles were entrenched in the system, despite being signed by past government.
“This is made evident by the quarterly Town Hall meetings Mr. Governor holds with the citizens, the automation of the Procurement Process by the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Governor’s resolution to continue the Community Choose Your Project initiative.
“Some other ways this government is upholding the OGP principles are citizens’ engagement and participation in policy-making and budget formulation, the development of citizen engagement platform which is in the process amongst others,” she added.
While praising the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, MacArthur Foundation and Anambra State Open Alliance for working together with government to ensure a successful meeting, Nnake called for active participation for remarkable commitments towards moving the state forward.
Also speaking, OGP co-chair and Coordinator, Anambra State Civil Society Network, Prince Chris Azor, said the workshop was targeted at filling gaps created in course of implementation of OGP in the state.
He appreciated government for sustaining the project, expressing optimism that the key actors would further deepen the engagements with a view to achieving the OGP objectives.
“We’re here to ensure the state is brought up to speed with more strategies to enable her meet up with the timing. Even though we’re not where we need to be, but we’re making tremendous progress,” he said.
On his part, Executive Director, African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), Monday Osasah urged state government and non-state actors to report recorded progresses and challenges, which he said would enable the committee rejig and roll over plans for better results.
“We’re glad Anambra has graciously signed up with the partnership, as well as set up relevant administrative structures which has culminated in development of state action plan.
“We’re only concerned about the implementation, without which we can’t regard any state as one in the fray of OGP. But we’re happy the state is critical about pushing the narrative,” he added.
