Mr Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Executive Director, Policy Alert.
By Press Release
Policy Alert, an non-governmental organisation that works to promote social, economic and ecological justice in the Niger Delta has called on Governors-elect in the States of the Niger Delta to prioritize technology and women inclusion as part of governance reforms.
This was part of resolutions agreed during a Learning Event held by Policy Alert.
Participants at the event said prioritizing technology and women inclusion will help build a culture of openness and accountability at the state level in the region.
The event took place at Havillah Hotel and Towers, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on March 24, 2023, had as its theme, “OGP at the sub-national level: Can gender equity and technology make a difference?”
Panelists explored the linkages between gender, technology and the uptake and implementation of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) by states in the region.
Participants drawn from government, the private sector and civil society discussed on the long-term benefits of improving the relationship between citizens and their government.
In his welcome address, the Project Lead, Koko Udoh stated that “through this learning event series, NOGO seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of OGP principles and the role that gender equity and technology play in OGP implementation at the sub-national level.”
Udoh further stated that “OGP is based on the idea that an open government is more accessible, more responsive, and more accountable to citizens. By employing tech tools and promoting gender equality and social inclusion in governance processes, we can ensure that openness results in exponential benefits for everyone” he stated.
Participants also called on the incoming governors in states of the Niger Delta to sign on to the OGP where the current administrations have not done so or strengthen implementation in cases where the states have already signed on to the OGP.
The learning series is an activity of the Niger Delta Open Government Observatory (NOGO), which is supported by USAID/Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) and implemented by Palladium. Through the NOGO Cluster, a consortium of nine (9) organizations is working to influence the adoption and effective implementation of OGP by citizens and government of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo and Rivers States.
