Delegates of the Kwali Area Council, led by the Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Yakubu Muhammad, have taken a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in governance by submitting a letter of intent to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria.
This took
place at the OGP National Secretariat in the Federal Ministry of Budget and
Economic Planning in Abuja on Tuesday 13th February, 2024.
The move
marks a pivotal moment for Kwali Area Council in its journey towards open and participatory governance it also underscores the commitment of Kwali local government administration and citizens to
foster open government practices.
The National
Coordinator, OGP Nigeria, Dr. Gloria Ahmed, commended the Area Council for its
bold decision to join the OGP, she emphasized the importance of the partnership
in promoting transparency and accountability; highlighting the potential
benefits of this collaboration, including increased support from both local and
international stakeholders.
Dr. Ahmed further encouraged the council to develop an action plan and assured them of the Secretariat's support in their endeavors.
While
speaking on behalf of the Kwali Area Council, Mr. Yohanna Yusuf expressed
gratitude for the opportunity to join OGP Nigeria and emphasized the council's
commitment to fulfilling the established conditions. He underscored the
council's dedication to transparency by highlighting its functional social
media platforms, where activities will be regularly showcased for public
consumption and scrutiny.
Mr. Yusuf
emphasized the importance of grass-root engagement in realizing the dividends
of democracy, especially in the face of resource constraints.
He said that
Kwali Area Council's decision to join OGP Nigeria reflects its commitment to
fostering open, inclusive governance and marks a significant milestone in its
efforts to serve the community effectively.
Kwali Area
Council will be the third Local Government in the FCT and Nigeria as a whole to
join OGP, after AMAC and Gwagwalada Area Councils.