Minister Pledges Support for OGP Initiative

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Initiative of the Federal Government, has received a boost as the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has pledged to throw its weight behind it.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono has said the initiative would make governance more transparent, accountable and participatory.

Nanano made the disclosure in his office in Abuja, when he received the National Coordinator, SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli and her team who paid him an advocacy visit.

He said the Ministry will synergize with SERVICOM to drive the process of promoting the good governance initiative of Mr President as enshrined in the Executive Order 001.

In her presentation, Akajemeli stated that the initiative has presented a platform for co-operation, partnership and collaboration between the Government (State Actors), Civil Society and the Private sector (Non-State Actors) that will bring immense developmental benefits to the Nation.

She further stated that with the full commitment by key public sector bureaucrats; there will be development, reviews and implementation of service standards at service windows that would help the initiative to fall in line with our national guidelines.

This, according to the National Coordinator, has made for close working strategy with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) through their Service Charters to drive continuous citizen-focused service improvements in Nigeria.

Akajemeli pointed out that the Federal government’s commitment to the initiative would foster openness, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and co-operation in service delivered by the MDA’s, adding that the process will translate to good governance.