Edo becomes first state in South-South to join OGP programme
As part of efforts to deepen institutional and policy reforms, Edo State government has become the first state in the South-South zone in Nigeria to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP) programme.
With this development, the Edo State became the eight state to have officially become member of the OGP programme, which Nigeria joined in 2016 as the 70th country in the world.
Other states that have signed up to the programme are Kaduna, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Niger, and Kano State, while states like Bayelsa, Imo, Rivers, Ondo, Oyo, and Sokoto are currently going through the process of becoming members.
It could be recalled that OGP was established in 2011 as a collaboration between eight governments sharing a common goal ‘to secure concrete commitments from governments to their citizenry, to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.’
Speaking at the launch of Open Niger Delta (OPENED) Campaign project in collaboration with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in Benin City, Governor Godwin Obaseki challenged Nigerian electorates to demand transparency from persons holding leadership positions
Obaseki represented by his Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele, commended ANEEJ for the OPENED initiative, which is in line with the state’s open government policy, and assured of his administration’s readiness to drive the campaign in the Niger Delta region.
He said: “Edo State has put in place institutional framework to ensure due process is followed in the execution of projects. Government publishes all contracts above N10 million as well as her annual financial statements.
“Behavioural change amongst citizens is essential in the fight against corruption in the country and electorates are to vote only leaders who are transparent and ready to deliver good governance in the country.”
In the same vein, Rev David Ugolor, Executive Director of ANEEJ, in admonition hinted that the OPENED project is supported by Bread for the World Protestant Development Service with the goal of mainstreaming Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles in the Niger Delta states.
“OPENED is designed to encourage states within the Niger Delta region to adopt measures that will improve transparency, accountability and good governance in the region.
“Edo State has joined the OGP which requires that participating governments enter into a co-creation process with civil society to develop commitment in the fight against corruption, public participation in governance and empowerment of citizens,” he said.
