Open Government Partnership has been identified as one of the measures to prefer solutions to challenges facing the people at the grassroots, engender meaningful development and good governance.
These formed submissions of a Resource Person Mr. Uchenna Arisukwu at a day workshop organised by a Non Governmental Organization, Community Life Project, popularly called Reclaim Naija, in Partnership with Ekiti state Government held in Ado Ekiti.
Our correspondent Oriola Afolabi who attended the programme reports that participants at workshop include, Civil Servants, Political office Holders and other stakeholders in community development.
The programme which was aimed at promoting good governance, people’s participation in decisions marking, budget planning and project execution is initiated by Reclaim Naija to effect meaningful changes in Nigeria.
The Resource Person Mr Arisukwu explained that open Government Partnership was a global coalition initiated by government and civil society organizations to ensure transparency, participatory and accountability in the system of governance.
Mr Arisukwu observed that citizens had importance roles to play in government plans, decisions, policies and programmes in order to promote a virile society.
The Resource Person noted that Nigeria government needed to allow people to always identify local problems and proffer solutions to such challenges through collaborative efforts.
He said that such Partnership would allow citizens to take ownership of projects implemented in their localities and prevent such from being damaged.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Development, Chief Folorunsho Olabode said that the programme was initiated by by Governor Fayemi out of ingenuity to ensure accountability and create synergy between the people and Ekiti state government.
Chief Olabode noted that the gap in communication between the people and government was creating problems and lack of citizens’ believe in government.
Three participants at the one day workshop, Mr Sola Akinloye, Mrs Helen Akomolafe and Mr Segun Olusola described the programme as timely, adding that it would go a long way to ensure good governance in Ekiti.
The Programme Manager, Community Life Project, Mr Francis Onahor said that the organization put up the programme to promote peoples’ participation in Governance and contribute meaningfully to the development of the society.
Mr Onahor maintained that the programme would be sustained and extended to those at rural areas.
