Kogi State Government has Inaugurated the Open Government Partnership (OGP) State Steering Committee (SSC) and promised to continue to place the State on the global map in the areas of Transparency, Accountability, and Citizen Participation.
Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade pledged in an address on the occasion of the inauguration OGP State Steering Committee held at the conference hall office of the Secretary to the State Government.
The Governor described the inauguration as a reinforcement and reiteration of the Government’s commitment to transparency and accountability
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.
Ododo assured that the State Government will continue to sensitize the people on its activities with the inauguration of the OGP, insisting that every expenditure in the State has been made open because it believes in transparency, accountability, and openness.
“As we all know, the present administration under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency Usman Ododo has been at the forefront of 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 of Government.
“Adopting the OGP principles will provide a stronger Platform that will strengthen citizen participation in the State.
“The involvement of Civil Society Organisations in this program is also a new way of ensuring effective citizen participation and accountability.
“It is in this light that I enjoin all the members to buy into this global initiative for the growth and prosperity of Kogi State.”
He described the Inauguration of the OGP Steering Committee as a remarkable step for the growth and development of Kogi State through Open Government Partnership using Transparency, Accountability, and Citizen Participation.
He noted that the OGP 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 priority, the reason why it has been rated high by the international community and other financial organizations, assured that with the Inauguration of the OGP, governance would 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, citizens will look forward to more extended openness that will enable citizens to hold government accountable.
He called for collaboration for a more open and inclusive government that would put the people first in governance, and allow for transparency and accountability.
