As part of the Open Government Partnership Week 2023, the Women in Media Communication Initiative (WIM), a dRPC PAS partner, collaborated with several organizations to organize a policy dialogue in Kano State. The event aimed to discuss the progress made in implementing OGP in the state, provide recommendations to enhance the implementation, and secure commitment from the new administration to work with OGP.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor-elect, legislators-elect, the National OGP team, the Kano OGP team, and members of the Kano Civil Society Forum. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Governor-elect.
In her opening remarks, the convener stated the objectives of the meeting and the importance of enhancing transparency and accountability in governance. The representative of the dRPC emphasized the significance of transparency and accountability in building trust between citizens and the government and urged the new administration to prioritize citizen engagement in the State Budgeting process.
In his goodwill message, the representative of the dRPC expressed appreciation to the organizers for bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the progress made in implementing the OGP in Kano State and providing recommendations for the incoming administration on how to make the government more open, accessible, responsive, and accountable to citizens, as well as establishing a cordial relationship with the people. He emphasized the significance of transparency and accountability in building trust between citizens and the government, promoting good governance, and empowering citizens to participate in decision-making.
He urged the incoming administration to prioritize citizen engagement in the State Budgeting process, make the process open and transparent, ensure proper monitoring and supervision of state expenditures and projects. He also reiterated the dRPC’s commitment to supporting initiatives that ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
The Co-chair of OGP Kano highlighted some challenges faced by the OGP team in Kano State, such as lack of a functional secretariat and poor coordination and communication among the team. Other presentations covered climate change in Kano, progress made in implementing OGP in Kano State, and outstanding policies.
The Deputy Governor-elect expressed the new government’s readiness to work with OGP and operate an open and transparent government in Kano State. He outlined several initiatives, including developing a state development plan and strengthening anti-corruption measures.
Key recommendations made during the policy dialogue included:- reconstituting the Kano State OGP Steering Committee, strengthening the secretariat, reviewing the State Action Plan in line with the new administration’s blueprint, and improving the coordination and communication among the team by appointing a competent and experienced chair from both CSO and government sides.
The policy dialogue provided valuable insights into enhancing transparency and accountability in governance in Kano State. It is hoped that the new administration will take into account the recommendations made during the event and work closely with OGP to achieve better governance in the state.
