The governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, has signed the Open Government Partnership, OGP report, a global initiative aimed at fostering transparent, participatory and accountable governance.
This development comes after months of strategic engagement with relevant stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, as the State moves to align itself with OGP standards.
The commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Bello Kagara, has formally submitted a comprehensive report detailing the preparatory activities undertaken to ensure Katsina State’s seamless entry into the OGP.
This report highlights the significant progress made in meetings with various stakeholders, which led to several key decisions and plans being established.
One of the most notable steps is the formation of a 30-member Steering Committee, comprising equal representation from both State and Non-State actors.
This committee will oversee the implementation of OGP initiatives in the state. Additionally, a dedicated State Secretariat has been established, and thematic areas for action have been identified to guide the State’s engagement in the OGP framework.
The report, however, states further actions including a visit to the OGP National Secretariat, the drafting of a letter of intent, and the exploration of two key support windows for the State: Centre LSD and the HOPE Project.
Accordingly, Mr Kagara sought Mr Radda’s approval on the initiatives, including the membership of the State Steering Committee, which features representatives from key government agencies and respected civil society members.
Reacting to this development, Mr Radda mandated the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to continue engaging with the OGP National Secretariat to further develop action plans and letters of intent, particularly concerning the HOPE Governance and Health Project.
Mr Radda, who formally signed on to the OGP, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
On July 12, the governor directed the relevant ministries to draft the State Action Plan and Independent Report Mechanism templates, reinforcing Katsina’s dedication to OGP principles.
As Katsina State progresses in its journey to becoming an OGP member, the people of the state can expect more inclusive and transparent governance practices aimed at improving public trust and driving sustainable development.
