On Tuesday, the Accountability Lab Nigeria, a civil society organization (CSO), expressed dismay over the inadequate execution of government projects in Plateau State.
Mr. Friday Odeh, the Country Director of the organization, conveyed these concerns during a one-day stakeholders forum titled ‘The Anti-Corruption Innovation Projects.’ This forum was conducted in partnership with the Open Contracting Partnership and supported by UNDP, held in Jos, the capital city of Plateau State.
He said, “The outcome has not been satisfying. What we have seen from the projects by Government Ministries, Department and Agencies are not satisfying.
“It is not what the citizens want in some places, it is not completed to the quality they wanted.”
Odeh equally said information gathered from the stakeholders forum will be taken to the State Bureau for Public Procurement, so as to engage citizens on any intended projects.
He added, “The primary goal of the forum is to create an environment that encourages collaboration and dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, technology innovators, and the private sector.
“By fostering a culture of openness and accountability, the forum seeks to drive positive change in the field of public projects.
“The stakeholder’s forum is a pivotal step towards achieving the objectives outlined in the UNDP-funded ACIP. By promoting open contracting practices, the forum will contribute to the prevention of corruption, reduction of inefficiencies, and enhancement of overall governance public projects.
“The outcomes of this initiative are expected to catalyze positive changes in the public service delivery landscape, ultimately benefiting the citizens.”
Also speaking, the Acting Director, Bureau for Public Procurement in the State, Mr Yabilsu Dogo, said the Bureau is satisfied with the level of monitoring done by the CSO.
He said, “They are helping in informing the citizens about their rights to inquire about the projects sited in their communities and to even know that they are supposed to protect those projects.
“Honestly, this organisation is greatly helping the State Bureau by doing what the Bureau is supposed to be doing.”
Dogo disclosed that the Bureau is handicapped in terms of logistics in discharging its duties.
