OGP/FOI: Edo NOA Charge Stakeholders On Effective Strategies To Promote Transparency, Accountability

The Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Edo state directorate, Mrs Grace Eseka yesterday charged stakeholders to map out effective strategies towards the fight against corruption as well as the promotion of transparency and accountability in governance.

Mrs Eseka gave the charge in Benin city during a One-Day sensitization campaign to promote transparency and accountability in governance with the use of Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles organised by the Agency.

Eseka stressed that there is need for citizens to be educated on the rationale behind the FOI Act, hence the campaign by NOA to raise awareness on the provisions and understanding of the Act passed into law in 2011.

"In addition, for a country to be a member of OGP, it must exhibit a demonstrated commitment to open government in four key areas: Fiscal Transparency, Access to Information, Asset Disclosure and Citizens Engagement", the Edo NOA Director said in her address

On his part, the Coordinator of Network on Good Governance (NGG), Peter Nwadishi attributed the inability to fix the deplorable state of infrastructure across the country to bad governance, adding there can not be good governance when transparency and accountability are lacking.

The NGG Coordinator called on governments to be open, responsive, and accountable to citizens for the successful implementation of the Act which according to him will lead to transparency in governance.

He however reminded participants of citizens engagement as a basic principle of democracy where government derives their authority and power, noting government is therefore under obligation to respond to the need of the citizens.

Also, Hon Florence Gbinigie asserted, FOI Act have given leverage to citizens to ask questions on governance.

Hon Gbinigie, a former Commissioner in the state called for women inclusion in government, adding governance would be difficult when every irrespective of gender are not carried along.

Present at the occasion were civil society groups, Non governmental Organizations (NGOs), Youth groups, FIDA, and others.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Global Gasdown-Frackdown: Group Advocates Renewable Energy Sources

Image
As part of global action against the use of fossil fuels, a group, Action for Socio-Political And Economic Change (ASEC) today held a rally in Benin city to advocate for clean and renewable energy sources. ASEC, an affiliate of Edo Civil Society Organization (EDO CSOs) was the only group in Nigeria that join other activists from across the world to take action against oil and gas exploration that has devastating impact on the environment. The group which brandished placards with inscriptions such as "Leave The Crude On The Ground", "Government Should Consider other sources of Energy", "Citizens have not benefited from crude oil exploration", and "Save our Environment From degradation", also used the rally to draw global attention to fossil fuels usage. The negative impacts of these non-renewable energy sources have had serious adverse effects on the health of human beings, President of ASEC, Leftist Osazee Edigin said during the rally. El...
Read more

Poor Sanitary Condition of Detention Facilities Is Torture – Barr Uwagie

Image
Human Rights Lawyer, Barrister Leo Osa Uwagie has described the poor sanitary condition of some detention facilities in the country as form of torture to detainees. Barr Uwagie noted that, the poor sanitary condition especially that of the police force compel detainees to pay for bail to quickly leave these facilities for health reasons, which ordinarily they know is free. Uwagie was one of the guest speakers at a One-Day Symposium to mark 2019 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, held on Wednesday in Benin city, which was organised by the Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO), an umbrella body of civil society groups in Edo state. The Human Rights Lawyer charged the Ministry of Environment to ensure detention facilities across the country meets required standard for such purpose. He urged environmental officials to also visit public institutions with detention facilities for thorough monitoring, as it would go a long way to ensure they are fit to...
Read more

Nigerian Youths Are Greedy, Power Drunk - Group

Image
Abuja - The Youth For Presidency Movement yesterday said it will not support any presidential candidate in the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria. According to the group, the reason for the decision was for its leadership to put structures in place nationwide for proper dissemination and implementation of the movement's goal. In a press statement signed by it Convener, Umudjere Africaman, the group called for a revolution to "dismantle" the current federal government hence their 'No Support' for time to strategize. The group which described Nigerian youths as "greedy, fame-wanting and power drunk, expressed displeasure over disunity amongst youths, adding it was part of the reason for the decision. Umudjere however enjoined them to be united if they must take power. "The national leadership of the Youth for Presidency Movement will not support, mobilize and strategize for any presidential candidate and as such all members of the movement ...
Read more