By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
As part of measures to ensure citizens understand the importance of transparency and accountability in infrastructure projects contracting, Natsa Foni Foundation has commenced capacity building for community champions in Kaduna State.
Speaking at the meeting, Executive Director of the NGO, Leslie Doung, noted that his organization selected Community Development Charter (CDC) champions from the 12 wards in Chikun Local Government Area to pilot the citizens awareness creation training.
According to him, Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) and Open Contracting for Infrastructural Data Standards (OC4IDS) are two important initiatives being implemented by the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Kaduna State aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in infrastructure development projects.
“It is important that citizens are aware of what CoST and OC4IDS is all about and to understand the roles they are expected to play as a major part of the multi stakeholder group in the implementation of this program.
“So in recognition of the significance of citizen participation and awareness in advancing these initiatives, we decided to organize this training to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to access, analyze, and utilize infrastructure data for monitoring and advocacy purposes”. He explained.
Leslie, who is also the Co-chair of the OGP SAP iii, Open Contracting, Technical Working Group, said the training also aim to educate citizens about the objectives, principles, and benefits of CoST and OC4IDS.
The immediate Co-chair of the commitment area, Muhammed Kassim, in his submission, noted that an effective implementation of CoST program will build trust among the citizens, Private sector and the government.
“By avoiding judgement, letting the facts speak for themselves and focussing on working together to improve performance, the CoST assurance will helps build trust between stakeholders as they come to appreciate the benefits of such collaboration.” Kassim, said.
On their part, representatives of the Planning and Budget Commission and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), Priscilla Dariya and Suleman Abba, assured the citizen’s group of proper and effective coordination in the implementation of CoST processes.
They also promised to at all times ensure that all information regarding procurement are made available to enable citizens carry out their project tracking.
The stakeholders therefore resolved to among other things, continue to mobilize CDC champions in other LGAs and across various wards and communities in the State and build their capacity on procurement and CoST.
To identify and engage the multi stakeholders for CoST implementation, advocate for Procurement officers cadre in MDAs for the smooth implementation of CoST, leverage the media to carry out sensitization on CoST and also seek support from donor agencies in carrying out the activities.
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