A NEW report by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) has placed Ekiti, Kaduna, Ondo, Lagos and Gombe states top of its Index Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch list and Bauchi, Adamawa, Benue, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states are bottom.
The index was released this month by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation.
According to the report, the index looked at six key areas in assigning the scores: Accessibility, Open Budget, Public Procurement, Human Resources, Anti-Corruption, and Citizens Engagement.
The index is also an annual assessment that examined the level of transparency and accountability operational in the management of public funds and implementation of public policies in all 36 states of the federation.
This year, Gombe State ranks 5th among the 36 states of the federation and 2nd among the 19 states of northern Nigeria with respect to transparency variables.
Commenting on the development, the Director-General of Research & Documentation, Associate Professor Muazu Shehu emphasized the transformation in Gombe’s accessibility to crucial information.
He said prior to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s assumption of office in 2019, Gombe lacked a functioning website, which led to a deficit in accountability with citizens having no means to access vital data regarding governance, public finance, budgets, government audited accounts, and public procurement. This lack of online engagement channels hindered citizens from effectively holding the government accountable.
However, in a resolute commitment to establishing transparency and accountability, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya took the initiative to create a new official website for Gombe State. This website was meticulously designed with a strong focus on transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. It incorporates features such as public procurement, budgeting, and government audited accounts, enabling citizens to access critical information about the state government.
Moreover, the platform provides avenues for citizens to interact with the government online, thereby empowering them to hold the government accountable. The website has evolved into a tool for promoting transparency and accountability in Gombe State.
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