By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Inline with global best approach to ensuring transparency, citizens engagement in governance and social inclusion among other best practices the world over, a Three Day Workshop on Open Government Partnership (OGP) organized by USAID funded State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (USAID State2State) aimed at developing State Action Plan has commenced in Bauchi.
In an opening remarks by the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government Barrister Ibrahim Kassim, at Hazibal Hotel Conference Hall Bauchi, Venue of the workshop, on Monday 23th January 2023, the SSG said that the active participation of State Actors was a clear testimony in the commitment of Bauchi State Government for ensuring that the State joined other states in the implementation of global best practices relating to Open Government Partnership (OGP) aimed at bringing citizens more closer to the Government.
Represented by the State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning Aminu Hammayo, Kassim, who also served as Co-chair (Government) of the Bauchi State OGP Steering Committee said that the State has since inaugurated its OGP Steering, and that the Technical Working Groups (TWGs) have commenced actions towards the realization of their assigned responsibilities.
The Co-chair further emphasised that, “Bauchi State Government has already put in place the fundamental framework through the development of the State Medium Term Development Plan which provides the basis for the State’s economic growth and sustainable development path”.
“The implementation strategy of the OGP Action Plan provides a unique platform for good interface between the Government and Non-Governmental stakeholders, thus enhances the opportunity to grow our open governance partnership from its toddling posture to maturity”, said the Co-chair Government.
Also speaking, the Co-chair of Steering Committee from the Civil Society (CSOs) side Mrs. Maryam Garba urged participants to put all hands on deck towards developing a realistic Action Plan that would add value to Good Governance in Bauchi State.
While appreciating USAID State2State and the OGP National Office, Maryam also expressed her hope that the efforts of the State Steering Committee will be sustained through technical support and assistance.
Earlier in a welcome address, USAID State2State Bauchi State Team Lead (STL) Rabi Ekele said that Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a global multilateral forum consisting of 78 Countries and 76 sub- nationals, who have committed to various transparency and accountability reforms, for improved service delivery to their citizenry.
Ekele further said, “State2StateActivity’s purpose aligns with the objectives and principles of OGP. In this regard, the State2State Activity strategically leverages incentives for reform on commitments associated with the OGP in the state. Bauchi State has signed into the OGP and an OGP State Action Plan will be co-creatively designed to detail the transparency, Inclusivity, and accountability reforms of the State Government for the next 4 years”.
While highlighting the objectives of the Workshop, State2State’s Citizens Engagement and Capacity Building (CE/CB) Specialist Habila Salem said the Workshop will, among other objectives, seek to increase the knowledge and understanding of the State OGP Steering and Technical Committee members on OGP’s principles and operations and also introduce participants (State OGP Steering and Technical Committee members) to the roles and responsibilities of government and civil society in the development and implementation of the Bauchi State OGP action plan.
Salem added that the exercise will provide inclusive and informed opportunities for adequate, and meaningful participation in co-creation of the action plan and co-create the Bauchi State OGP State Action Plan (SAP).
Our correspondent reports that participants for the Workshop were drawn from the members of the OGP State approved Steering and Technical Committees – Who are equal members on the side of the Government and Civil society Organization (including Private sector and Media Organizations