In a bid to ensure that Imo State keys into the Open Government Partnership (OGP) platform, the Open Alliance, Imo state chapter has called on all Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to develop technical capacity to enable them engage adequately with the government.
Speaking at the meeting that held at the Freedom Hall of Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR), Owerri, Imo state, Tony Ayoka charged CSOs to continue to concentrate on the four thematic areas, especially areas like transparency, citizens’ engagement, access to information, anti-corruption, extractive and technology.
The focus and proposition were also highlighted which are open budget, open contracting, open Parliament, open data evidence among others were spoken about.
The meeting rose with a strong call for members to invite other CSOs to the Open Alliance as according to the platform, it is open to all who want to work to ensure good governance in the state.
The House commended the OGP/CIRDDOC for the training they offered to the members with a promise to continue to step up the training to make sure that Imo state is not left behind other southeast states who have signed up.
Obidi Mgbemena, who was represented by Chigozie Uzosike posited that Open Alliance is a group of civil society organizations seeking to promote good governance in Nigeria and ensure that it derives maximum benefit from openness and transparency needed for inclusive development and efficient service delivery.
However, Mr. Obidi Mgbemena, the Executive Director of CCIDESOR who financed the program and provided the hall at no cost was commended while calling on all and sundry to continue to contribute their quota to ensuring that OGP is signed up in Imo.
It would be recalled that Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) has done a lot around open budget, transparency and citizens engagement in Imo state, so that according to some participants, OGP will further the demand and need for good governance in Imo.
The Open Alliance commended Chigozie Uzosike, Convener, Coalition of Journalists Against Corruption (COJAC) for his media reportage on OGP which has helped in creating the awareness, while urging the government of Imo state to work with the media expert who had acquired relevant media training on OGP.
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