Inception Report – Action plan – Kaduna State, Nigeria, 2021 – 2023
Overview
Name of Evaluator
Prof Hauwa’u Evelyn Yusuf
Member
Kaduna State, Nigeria
Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen...
Section 1.
Compliance with
co-creation requirements
1.1 Does a forum exist?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The state has a democratically elected steering committeeThe Steering Committee is OGP’s executive decision-making body. Its role is to develop, promote and safeguard OGP’s values, principles and interests; establish OGP’s core ideas, policies, and ru... made of equal representation between the state and non-state actors. The committee is saddled with the responsibility of providing overall leadership and strategy to the OGP.
Furthermore, the state has a technical working group led by two co-chairsThe leadership of the Steering Committee is made up of four co-chairs who provide strategic guidance and support to advance OGP’s overarching priorities. Co-Chairs serve two-year terms beginning on ... from state and non-state actors who work solely at the various commitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... areas to implement the state action plan.
Provide evidence for your answer:
- Report of Civil Society Satate Steering Committee Handover Meeting.
- Civil Society Steering Committee Selection
1.2 Is the forum multi-stakeholder?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
During the development of the action plan, the forum was of multi-stakeholders. Members were drawn from the government, civil society, academia, and media.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.3 Does the forum hold at least one meeting with civil society and non-governmental stakeholders during the co-creation of the action plan?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The forum has held 3 different engagements with non-state actors and twice with state actors to ensure creation, cohesion, and adoption of the action plan. Furthermore, the draft action plan was shared with the general OGP community for comments and suggestions.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.4 Has the action plan been endorsed by the stakeholders of the forum or steering committee/group?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The stakeholders of the forum fully endorsed the plan before final adoption. Furthermore, a forward was written on behalf of the state and non-state actors by the respective co-chairs.
Provide evidence for your answer:
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
1. Hajia Hadiza Umar, CEO of Hope for Communities and Children Initiative (H4CC) and Co-chair OGP,
2. Mr. Joshua James, CEO of Open Kaduna Radio (Secretary Civil Society State Steering Committee)
Section 2.
Recommended practices
in co-creation
2.1 Does the government maintain a Local OGP website or webpage on a government website where information on the OGP Local process (co-creation and implementation) is proactively published?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The government has maintained a webpage for the OGP activities.
2.2 Did the government provide information to stakeholders in advance to facilitate informed and prepared participation in the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive...?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
In one of the 3 stakeholders’ engagements conducted for non-state actors, the draft plan was sent at least a day before the meeting dates to encourage enhanced discussions.
Provide evidence for your answer:
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
The evidence is an e-mail with a DRAFT for robust discussion to larger OGP Community and State Steering Committee members (SSC).
2.3 Did the government ensure that any interested member of the public could make inputs into the action plan and observe or have access to decision-making documentation?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The final draft copy of the action plan was shared publicly for a week for public comments. Some of those comments were duly accepted and featured on the final approved action plan.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.4 Did the government proactively report back or provide written feedback to stakeholders on how their contributions were considered during the creation of the action plan?
Unclear
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The final validated document was shared.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.5 Was there an iterative dialogue and shared ownership between government and non-governmental stakeholders during the decision making process, including setting the agenda?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Commitments were co-created and so were the processes.
2.6 Would you consider the forum to be inclusive and diverse?
Very
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
At validation meetings, we had stakeholders from women’s groups, persons with disabilities, academia, and civil society.
Provide evidence for your answer:
Section 3.
Initial evaluation
of commitments
1 Commitment :
To develop a permanent dialogue mechanism for effective citizens’ access to the budget and other public-related documents, including the audit process.
1.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The identified milestones for the commitment are carefully written using the Results-Based Management approach. Indicators were also crafted to measure progress toward the commitment’s objective.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevanceAccording to the OGP Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should include a clear open government lens. Specifically, they should advance at least one of the OGP values: transparency, citizen partic... to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
From the commitment to strengthening citizens’ engagement in the budget process to that of institutionalizing access to basic service delivery services, the commitments have clearly shown relevance according to the OGP.
1.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
a continuation of ongoing practice in line with existing legislationCreating and passing legislation is one of the most effective ways of ensuring open government reforms have long-lasting effects on government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or r..., policies or requirements.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment is a role over to further strengthen and consolidate the success achieved around Open Budget.
1.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
will result in a change of the rules, practices, or policies that govern a policy area, public sector, and/or relationship between citizens and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitments possess the strength to change the rules, practices, or policies that govern a policy area, public sector, and relationship between citizens and are binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
1.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
No.
2 Commitment :
Full operationalization of Open ContractingA transparent procurement process, known as open contracting, increases competition, improves public service delivery, and ensures governments better value for their money. Technical specifications: C... and Effective Deployment and Use of Open Contracting Data Standards (OCDS) to Meet Diverse Stakeholders Needs in key MDAs
2.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The identified milestones for the commitment are carefully written using the Results-Based Management approach. Indicators were also crafted to measure progress toward the commitment’s objective.
2.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The Commitment area seeks to ensure the publishing of contract data in a timely and efficient manner for citizens to have access to contract data, encourage effective civic participation, and guarantee value for money. This will create a platform and level playing field for citizens to leverage, engage, and hold government accountable. This is in line with the TransparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More and Civic Participation values of Open Governance.
2.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
a continuation of ongoing practice in line with existing legislation, policies, or requirements.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Out of the 5 commitment areas in the Second State Action Plan (SAP II), this commitment is a role over to further strengthen and consolidate the success of the first.
2.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
will result in a change of the rules, practices or policies that govern a policy area, public sector and/or relationship between citizens and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitments possess the strength to implement the provisions of the Kaduna State Public ProcurementTransparency in the procurement process can help combat corruption and waste that plagues a significant portion of public procurement budgets globally. Technical specifications: Commitments that aim t... Law. This commitment will open up disclosure of more contract information and prioritize the use of technology in timely data publication and availability, quality, and use of public data by different categories of stakeholders; opening the contracting process for citizens to access useful procurement information that can aidMore and better information about aid helps partner countries and donor institutions plan and manage aid resources more effectively, parliaments and civil society to hold governments accountable for t... informed decision making, provide reliable feedback concerning-procurement at all stages of the process.
2.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
Non
3 Commitment :
Use of Improved technology-based citizens’ feedback on all projects and programs to enhance governance
3.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The identified milestones for the commitment are carefully written using the Results-Based Management approach. Indicators were also crafted to measure progress toward the commitment’s objective.
3.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment area focuses on using technology (The Eyes and Ears App) to enable citizens to participate in Governance by providing feedback and shaping the implementation of government policies. From the commitment to strengthening citizens’ engagement, it is tied to Technology and innovation for public participationGiving citizens opportunities to provide input into government decision-making leads to more effective governance, improved public service delivery, and more equitable outcomes. Technical specificatio... value of Open Governance.
3.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
a continuation of ongoing practice in line with existing legislation, policies or requirements.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment is a role over to further strengthen and consolidate the success for the first State Action Plan (SAP I).
3.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
will result in a change of the rules, practices or policies that govern a policy area, public sector and/or relationship between citizens and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment seeks to improve access to governance by citizens and increase responsiveness of government to the needs of citizens using all available means across local communities using phones, app, and the radio.
3.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
Non
4 Commitment :
InclusionOGP participating governments are working to create governments that truly serve all people. Commitments in this area may address persons with disabilities, women and girls, lesbian, gay, bisexual, tr...: Strengthening Social Protection System in Kaduna State
4.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The identified milestones for the commitment are carefully written using the Results-Based Management approach. Indicators were also crafted to measure progress toward the commitment’s objective.
4.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment focuses on institutionalizing social protection in the state. This commitment is relevant to Public AccountabilityAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, public accountability occurs when ”rules, regulations, and mechanisms in place call upon government actors to justify their actions, act upon criticisms ... More and Inclusion because it provides mechanisms and systems to track social services provided by the Government. This creates an open channel to report on services that are not efficiently provided and feedback to the government for action.
4.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
a new regulationGovernment reformers are developing regulations that enshrine values of transparency, participation, and accountability in government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or reforming ..., policy, practice or requirement.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment area is new in the second state action plan. The State Government intends to institutionalize Social Protection in the state by passing the social protection bill into law.
4.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
will result in a change of the rules, practices, or policies that govern a policy area, public sector, and/or relationship between citizens and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitments possess the strength to institutionalize Social protection in the state by passing the social protection bill into law. This will require the government to work closely with citizens to adequately ensure a life of dignity for all.
4.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
Non
5 Commitment :
Improving Service Delivery in EducationAccountability within the public education system is key to improving outcomes and attainment, and accountability is nearly impossible without transparent policies and opportunities for participation ... and Health Sectors
5.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The identified milestones for the commitment are carefully written using the Results-Based Management approach. Indicators were also crafted to measure progress toward the commitment’s objective.
5.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment area focuses on service delivery across two (2) critical sectors in Kaduna state, namely; Education and Health. This is in line with the OGP values of Transparency and public participation through the active participation of citizens in the manner services are delivered to the people.
5.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
a continuation of ongoing practice in line with existing legislation, policies or requirements.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment is a new commitment. However, the commitment will further strengthen and consolidate the success of reforms embarked upon by the government.
5.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
will result in a change of the rules, practices or policies that govern a policy area, public sector and/or relationship between citizens and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitments possess the strength to change the rules, practices, or policies that govern a policy area, public sector, and relationship between citizens and are binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s). This will lead to Inclusiveness of People Living With Disabilities (PLWD), Access to suitable school facilities for all, Retention and completionImplementers must follow through on their commitments for them to achieve impact. For each commitment, OGP’s Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) evaluates the degree to which the activities outlin... through the availability of an enabling environment for learning, increase level of responsiveness to the needs and expectations of schools, increased level of citizens’ feedback and evaluation of service delivery and Increased level of citizens’ participation in health care service delivery.
5.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
No.
Leave a Reply