Ikpeazu Expresses Commitment to Open Government Partnership

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Umuahia – Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has expressed the commitment of his administration toward the realisation of inclusive growth in the state through the application of open government partnership (OGP).
Ikpeazu said this on Thursday in Umuahia during the inauguration of the steering committee for the programme.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Ude Oko-Chukwu, said that transparency, accountability and responsiveness in governance remained the key principles of OGP.
Ikpeazu said that the state government was desirous to apply the principles of OGP and develop a healthy synergy with the people to foster active citizen participation in transforming the state.
He urged members of the committee to devote time and knowledge to the realisation of the OGP action plan before the end of 2020.

In an address, the National  Coordinator of OGP, Mr Benjamin Okoro, described it as a concept that centered on co-creation of progressive policies and programmes by government and the citizens.
Okoro, who was represented by Mrs Chidinma Ilechukwu, said that recent events had made it necessary for the government and people to work closely in finding solution to the challenges of Nigeria.

“The action plan is a two-year plan for minimising duplication of efforts and maximising impact.
“The action plan is centered on commitment to budgeting, procurement and climate change.
“We look forward to seeing an equal participation of state actors and non-state actors as well as effective implementation of OGP action plan in Abia,” Okoro said.
Also, Mr Chidi Sundayson, the Facilitator of Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn, a civil society organisation, said that the benefits of partnership were enormous.

Sundayson said that OGP was not designed to encourage tussles between the government and the people but to produce a collaboration which would encourage appropriate use of the state resources.
In a remark, Mr Amaechi Chukwu, Abia Desk Officer on OGP, said that the action plan was centered on fiscal transparency, access to information, citizens engagement and implementation as well as service delivery.

Chukwu said that the committee was poised to work meticulously in the implementation of the OGP action plan in Abia.

Earlier, Dr Chukwuma Agu, the co-Chair of Abia OGP steering committee for state actors, said that Abia government was willing to partner and engage the citizenry on issues of governance.
Agu said that the state government was willing to consider positive recommendations and constructive criticisms for the betterment of Abia.

The members of the committee include Nelson Nwafor, Nnenna Chikezie, Lilian Ezenwa, Amaechi Chukwu, Richard Okoro, Amaka Biachi, Idika Orji, Aham Uko, Uchenna Obigwe, George Ngorukwe.
Others are John-Pedro Irokansi, Bright Eluwa, Ogbonna Nwobia, Henry Nduka, Kelechi Imoriah, Stanley Onyebuchi, John Emejor and Onyi Wamah.

(NAN)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *