CSO Situation Room Urges Kogi Assembly to promote OGP through Legislation

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

NIGERIA Civil Society Situation Room (SR) has enjoined Kogi State House of Assembly to make necessary laws to promote the principles of Open Government Partnership (OGP) and incorporate the concept into oversight functions for effective implementation.

SR made the call at a One-day Capacity Building On Open Government Partnership (OGP) for Kogi State House of Assembly Members on Thursday in Lokoja.

The capacity building was organised by the Situation Room (SR) in partnership with Initiative For Grassroot Advancement In Nigeria (INGRA) with support from Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

One of the Resource Persons, Mr Miliki Idris Abdul presented a paper titled: “Understanding The Processes, Challenges and Dynamics Of Legislators In The Realisation Of OGP At Sub-national level In Kogi State.”

In his presentation, Miliki described OGP as a global initiative, to encourage Accountability and Transparency in Governance through citizens’ participation.

He said that the Legislature as an arm of Government that makes laws for the good of the society and the people, had special role to play in the OGP principle.

The Legislators, he said, must therefore, be conversant with the rudiments and importance of the OGP by availing themselves of necessary information on the principle.

Miliki also urged the House to set up specific committee on OGP, build a broad-based partnership, particularly with the Media and CSOs to achieve the objectives and goals of partnership as a global concept.

Speaking earlier, Mr Hamza Aliyu, Executive Director, INGRA in his opening remarks, described OGP as a novel concept in terms of accountability and partnership between the government and the people.

He said that the emphasis is on appropriation of funds through budgeting and oversight functions of the House.

“And so, that is why we feel that we should begin the engagement process with the Legislators as elected representatives in the House of Assembly to state exactly what the OGP is to them in terms of their roles and responsibilities.

In his goodwill message, Hon. Bode Ogunmola, member representing Ogori-Magongo State Constituency at the House Assembly PDP said the OGP concept was self explanatory as it emphasis openness in government spending.

Ogunmola said if appropriated monies are spent the way they ought to, in accordance with the approved laws, nobody will run into any crisis adding that emphasis would now be placed on adherence to stipulated rules.

Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina Co-chair of the State Action Plan Steering Committee of the OGP, thanked the state for taking the bold step of incorporating the OGP commitments into the 2024 budget.

He also reiterated the need for the legislators to play active role in the implementation of the OGP five commitments across the four thematic areas through their legislative and oversight functions.

Mr Alfa Ndagi, Deputy Clerk of Kogi Assembly, Yabagi Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker and other stakeholders in their goodwill messages commended INGRA for initiating the capacity building. (Ends)