PETS & OGP

Adamawa State Citizens' Eyes and Ears

The Adamawa State Technological Monitoring Hub (CITIZENS’ EYES AND EARS) is an independent M&E unit situated in the Service Delivery & Improvement (SDI) department of the Adamawa State Planning Commission (ASPC) that performs evidence based assessments on projects and programmes of Government and alignment to the state development plan. As part of the commitment of Adamawa State Government to Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles, the Unit is also responsible for harvesting feedback from citizens on government projects and programmes as it relates to result delivery and value for money to inform improved fiscal planning for sustainable development.

Importance of the Technological M & E project to Adamawa State Citizens:

  • Policy makers are informed on the actual or likely performance trends of budgetary investments of the State’s annual Budget Framework
  • Planning Commission provides knowledge management and feedback to MDAs on progress of their implementation as a learning mechanism
  • Policy makers have a Single Global view of project and programme implementation as it relates to the goals and results highlighted in the State Development Plan (SDP)
  • Baseline data from Adamawa Bureau Statistics aligns with actionable output data from the M&E Department to help in decision making and planning outcomes
  • Document monitored impacts of partners interventions in Adamawa State for optimum informed policy decisions of both the State Government and partners/ Funders

Open Government Partnership

The OGP is an international multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and responsiveness to citizens through technology and innovation. It brings together government and civil society champions of reforms that recognize that governments are more likely to be more effective and credible when they open governance to public input and oversight. At the national level, OGP introduces a domestic policy mechanism through which the government and civil society can have an ongoing dialogue. At the international level, it provides a global platform to connect, empower, and support domestic reformers committed to transforming governments and societies through openness.

The OGP was formally launched in 2011 when the eight (8) founding governments (Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States) endorsed the Open Government Declaration and announced their country action plans. The uniqueness of the OGP process lies in the implementation of the National Action Plan, which provides an organizing framework for international networking and incentives.

Key Thematic Areas of (OGP)

  • Fiscal Transparency
  • Citizen Engagement
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Social Inclusion
  • Improve Service Delivery

Key Commitments of (OGP)

  • Ease of Doing Business
  • Open Contracting
  • Technology Citizen Feedback
  • Enhanced Budgetary Process
  • Transparency and Accountability

MDA in which the thematic areas are housed includes the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning/Adamawa State Planning Commission, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, and Ministry of Agriculture. The inauguration of the second phase of the state steering committee reflects the continued dedication to fostering an open government culture. The journey so far has witnessed notable achievements, positioning Adamawa State as a leader in promoting good governance. One of the notable achievements of the Adamawa State OGP is the successful development of the Girei Community Development Plan.

This initiative has played a pivotal role in enhancing the budgetary process by introducing transparency and accountability into the budget system. The integration of community perspectives has not only improved the accuracy of budget allocations but has also fostered a sense of ownership among the citizens. Also, the OGP in Adamawa State has actively pursued citizen engagement initiatives to ensure the inclusion of public input in the state budgeting process. This commitment to participatory governance has resulted in the development of a Citizen Budget, simplifying the budgetary information for the common man. By involving citizens in decision-making processes, the state has taken a significant step towards responsive and people-oriented governance.

However, the introduction of the Technological Monitoring HUB, also known as Citizen Eyes and Ears, is a groundbreaking initiative in public expenditure tracking. This system empowers citizens to monitor government activities and report any irregularities, contributing to enhanced accountability. By leveraging technology, Adamawa State has created a robust mechanism for citizens to actively participate in governance and hold authorities accountable. This tangible outcome has been reflected in the state’s improved ranking in the Global Transparency and Accountability Ranking.

Recent evidence places Adamawa State in the impressive third position with a 63% score. This ranking underscores the state’s commitment to transparency, effective governance, and responsiveness to the needs and expectations of its citizens. To this end, as Adamawa State continues its OGP journey, the achievements thus far serve as a testament to the positive impact of collaborative efforts between the government and its citizens in building a more accountable and responsive state.