CSOs task FG, states on accountability in policy implementation

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has called on both the Federal and state governments to prioritise accountability in the implementation of policies affecting citizens.

This call was made during the inaugural Nigeria Accountability Summit held in Abuja, with the theme ‘Institutionalising Accountability for Effective Public Administration in Nigeria.’

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Organised by prominent entities such as the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), BudgIT Foundation, Connected Development (CODE), Dataphyte, Agora Policy, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Step Up Nigeria, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, the summit aimed to address concerns surrounding policy implementation.

At the event, Olusegun Elemo, the Executive Director at PLSI, emphasized the necessity of holding public administrators accountable for the successful execution of policies.

Elemo highlighted that following the election of the 7th consecutive civilian government in February 2023, both national and subnational governments have initiated policy implementations across various sectors, causing hardships for citizens.

“Therefore, it is important to make sure that policy actors are held accountable to ensure objectives of their policies are achieved to improve citizens’ welfare,” Elemo stressed

In its official communique, the summit called upon the government to empower oversight mechanisms by strengthening regulators and oversight bodies.

Additionally, it urged the enhancement of the legal framework through action plans to improve the justice system’s capacity, including court efficiency, legal procedures, and timely dispute resolution.

The CSOs further advocated for the government to embrace tech-enabled civic engagement and digitize government processes, emphasizing that this would enhance accessibility and transparency.

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They also pressed for the creation of sound policies addressing specific challenges, focusing on transparent tax classifications and the removal of small, burdensome taxes. The summit suggested establishing a clear threshold for taxpayers to enhance fiscal transparency.

As citizens grapple with the impact of implemented policies, the call for accountability resonates as a crucial factor in ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of the Nigerian populace.