The Executive Director of DEAN Initiative, a Civil Society Organization (CSO), Mr. Semiye Michael, has urged all the local government councils in the country to sign up for the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
He stated this at the opening of a Citizens’ Dialogue on Participatory Budgeting and Planning in Abuja on Tuesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was organised by DEAN Initiative, a CSO committed to enhancing transparency, in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation and OGP-Local.
According to Semiye, there are lots of misconceptions about the concept of OGP, adding that most government agencies consider it “the gate for financial investigation.”
He explained that the OGP was a global initiative set up to enhance citizens’ participation in governance and ensure an open budgeting system.
“We have been working with them to let them know and to disabuse their minds; we know it will take time, but it is a journey in progress, so we are not deterred.
“Governance is cooperation; people have to participate; you have to know what people need; you do not assume on behalf of the citizens.
“So, we are calling on politicians; once you engage people, your campaign strategies become less effective because you have already let them know that you have them at the core of your administration and leadership,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Lawal Amodu, the Programme Coordinator, African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development (Centre-LSD), said that Nigeria signed up to the OGP initiative in 2016 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Amodu said that the centre had carried the OGP campaign to 26 states of the federation, adding that its acceptance had been on the rise.
He stated that an open budgeting system allowed citizens to make input in key priority areas during budget preparations while also enhancing their trust in the government.
The Secretary of Gwagwalada Area Council in Abuja, Mr. Muhammed Sabba, urged citizens to key into the initiative and cooperate with local authorities for effective implementation.
He said that the initiative, if well implemented, would attract more funds for the council to carry out more development projects for the benefit of the people. (NAN)
