By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Delegates from the Open Government Partnership, have arrived Nigeria to fast track political support for implementation of the third National Action Plan beyond the 2033 elections.
In a press release signed by Director Information of Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Hassan Dodo, made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, the Federal Government would be hosting the Chief Executive Officer and members of the Global Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria from Monday 25th to Friday 29th July 2022 to this effect.
The release stated that the OGP delegates would be meeting with Nigerian Stakeholders to seek greater political support for the implementation of the nation’s second National Action Plan and help secure high level political support for the OGP beyond the 2023 elections.
Also the high level delegates meeting is aimed at seeking support for the implementation of existing OGP commitment, including the OGP MDTF supported commitment to institute a beneficial ownership register, support co-creation of Nigeria’s third National Plan, facilitate donor support for OGP beyond the 2023 elections and hold a community consultation on the OGP strategic refresh.
According to the ministry, Nigeria’s political commitment to OGP progress is evident in it’s great stride in advancing reforms such as beneficial ownership transparency, adding that Nigeria was voted into the OGP Global Steering Committee that provides global leadership of the country.
Since Nigeria joined the OGP partnership in 2016 the nation has always aligned by OGP’s core values by implementing the open Government reforms and ownership transparency.
Ministry of State of Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba has maintained a high-level political support for its OGP national by championing the convening of reformers and coordination of open government reforms using OGP.
Nigeria is currently wrapping up the implementation of its second action plan commitments on beneficial ownership, budget openness, public contracts, extractive industry and implementation of freedom of information legislation from its first Action Plan.
The plan also provides a new focus on improved service delivery, inclusion and civic space, while civil society and development partners continue to play a vital supporting role, fulfillment of commitment requires sustained engagement and institutional ownership from leading government institution.
The OGP Country high-level delegation would meet The President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Ms. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mr. Boss Mustapha, Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, Executive Secretary, NEITI Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji Registrar-General /CEO Corporate Affairs Commission Mr. Alhaji Garba Abubakar (with the world Bank Team and Open Ownership), Civil Society, Leaders of Private Sectors, among others the release stated.
