The Federal Executive
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the
establishment of Open Government Partnership (OGP) Implementation
units in all public institutions as a way to mainstream OGP into
government institutions.
The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister
of Justice, (HAGF) Abubakar Malami made this known at the
Ministerial Roundtable on the Occasion of the Country Visit of OGP
International Support Unit to Nigeria, in Abuja, on Tuesday October
8th, 2019.
HAGF said the visit would reaffirm Nigerian’s Government
Commitment to OGP and will continue to involve high political
leadership in the entire process, that will spark enthusiasm for
the next Action Plan across Government and non-State actors
partners and motivate other stakeholders to engage in deeping
institutional and policy reforms across various sectors..
Representing the HAGF, the Solicitor-General of the
Federation/Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr.
Dayo Apata, SAN, explained that Nigeria Joined the OGP
in July 2016 to further deepen institutional and policy reforms
already initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari Administration.
HAGF further explained that Nigeria OGP 1ST National Action
Plan (NAP) was implemented from January, 2017-June 2019,
was made up of 14 Commitments around 4 thematic areas ;Fiscal
Transparency, Anti-Corruption, Access to Information and Citizen
Engagement..
Malami noted the areas OGP has made progress, which includes;
Open Budget: the Budget Office of the Federation through
consultative process with relevant government agencies and citizens
published the Pre-Budget Statement (2018-2020 MTEF/FSP). It has
consistently published a Citizen’s Guide to the Budget since
2018.
Speaking on Open Contracting, he said that the Bureau of
Procurement (BPP) developed the Nigerian Open Contracting Portal
(NOCOPO).The portal was designed to ensure improved transparency,
prevent corruption and active citizens’ participation through
increased disclosure of information to stakeholders. On
Anti-Corruption, and establishing Beneficial Register of Owners of
Companies, was one of the President’s commitments at the London
Anti- Corruption Summit in 2016, and amongst others.
“ Different government agencies and CSOs continued to deploy
tech-based interactive platforms to engage citizens and government
on various aspects of governance and services delivery such as
;IMonitor by the Budget Office of the Federation, Budeshi by Public
and Private Development Company, NOCOPO by Burearu of Public
Procurement, IFollowtheMoney by Connected Development, Tracka by
BudgIT, and others”, he noted.
HAGF explained that the 2nd NAP was guided by 4 main
criteria, such as first commitment must fall within the remit of
OGP; second to roll over issues that were not completed in the 1st
NAP but have potential for transformative change; third conclude
issues that have been raised naturally and globally as necessary
for deepening the OGP principles and the Forth is to take on board
issues that were suggested from the consultative process.
Malami disclosed that in line with the deadline given to Nigeria
to submit her 2nd NAP, to the Support Unit by the end of
September2019, the OGP Secretariat forwarded Nigeria 2nd NAP
to the Support Unit on the 30th of September 2019 for
technical review and feedback.
Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Open
Government Partnership Mr. Sanjay Pradhan in his remarks said that
Open Contracts, Transparency and Accountability are the Cardinal
Principles of OGP, explaining that Nigeria is the 70th Country
to join the OGP.
He disclosed Nigeria’s election election to serve in the
Steering Committee, which comprised of 79 Countries and 20 Local
Government thereby increased membership to two billion. He added
that it was an enthusiastic excitement that Nigeria joined OGP.
‘’OGP is an International and Local Programme, after election,
the citizen expected the dividends of Democracy and OGP is one of
the Instruments to achieve these promises by the politicians in
helping to deliver through the help of Freedom Of
Information (FOI),’’ Pradhan explained.
He said with the implementation of OGP Action Plan, the citizen
could demand their right and get what is due to them.
The CEO cited Switzerland and the Philippines as examples where
money spent on roads, health, contracts and other infrastructure
are made open to the citizen through OGP, hence helps to curb
corruption.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Bureau of
Public Service Reform, Ministry of Communication, National Budget
and Planning, Ministry of Trade and Investment and among
others.
OGOCHUKWU IGBOAMALU
FOR: DD PRESS