by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
… CLEEN Foundation ‘counsels’ on accountable governance.
The Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has assured that, his administration is actively creating opportunities for investors to participate in the state’s development, by ensuring transparency in all transactions.
Also, he said, “The government is exploring strategies to leverage the agricultural assets for the benefit of the state. The governor disclosed this during the ‘Open Government Partnership (OGP) Multi-Stakeholders Roundtable and Sensitization Workshop’ held at the Banquet Hall of the New Government House, in Little Rayfield, Jos, on Tuesday.
He explained that plans are on the way to revive and reconstruct legacy projects such as the Hill Station Hotel, Plateau Hotel, and Jos Abattoir, with the aim of improving living standards and boosting revenue for further economic development.
While acknowledging the need for transparency and accountability in external funded developmental projects inherited, Mutfwang assured that thorough reviews would be conducted to ensure value for money and benefit for the people.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to running a transparent, accountable, and all-inclusive government, aimed at delivering good governance and quality services to the people.
“The core objective of the OGPs is meeting citizens’ expectations through democratic dividends,” Governor Mutfwang noted, while emphasizing his campaign promise – “to provide quality governance to the people of Plateau.”
In another congratulatory note, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Gad Peter, commended the Plateau State Government for its commitment to the OGP and the governor’s transparent and accountable governance.
He also applauded the appointment of innovative youths and women in key roles, to drive the agenda of transparency and accountability forward.
According to him, Plateau State has gone through a lot, in terms of insecurity, and commended the courage of Mutfwang in changing the narratives.
Mr. Gad Peter stated that, “The six commitments across various thematic areas significantly advanced participatory, transparent, and accountable governance, contributing to the socio-economic development of the state.
“Government should ensure commitments that are realistic to avoid overly ambitious goals like the previous Citizens Engagement commitment, and should carry Over Key Commitments and continue the Citizens Engagement and Peace and Security commitments in the next action plan.
“Fragment the Citizens Engagement commitment for better effectiveness, follow-up on Outstanding Activities, Complete legislative bills for Gender, Open Contracting, Participatory Budgeting, and Extractive Transparency within regular governance activities,” Gad Peter stated.
He stressed that, government “should increase Civil Society involvement, and Civil Society should take more ownership in implementation and seek alternative funding sources beyond the state budget. New Areas for Commitments: Include Climate Change Actions and Service Delivery Reforms in the next action plan to build on previous Commitments: Continue the Citizens Engagement and Peace & Security commitments in the next action plan.”
The Chief Technical Adviser on Development Partnerships and Diaspora Engagements to the Governor, Manji Wilson, emphasized the pivotal role of the OGP in Plateau’s development, and commended Governor Mutfwang’s unwavering advocacy for transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness.