Inception Report – Action plan – Plateau, Nigeria, 2021 – 2023
- Action Plan: Action plan – Plateau, Nigeria, 2021 – 2023
Overview
Name of Evaluator
Sunday Lugard
Member Name
Plateau, 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... Title
Action plan – Plateau, Nigeria, 2021 – 2023
Section 1.
Compliance with
co-creation requirements
1.1 Does a forum exist?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Plateau State has a multistakeholder forum comprising state and non-state actors at two levels.
The forum is overseen by the 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... comprising 14 members with equal representation from both state and non-state actors.
There are two Points of Contact (POCs)- one from the government and one from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and 12 co-chairs- one from the government and one from the Civil Society Organizations for each of the six commitments.
Apart from the Steering Committee, there are state and non-state stakeholders in six Technical Working Groups for each of the six commitments.
The forum met four times to co-create the State Action Plan and severally afterward for its implementation at Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups levels. The Government and non-governmental actors also held separate meetings.
Provide evidence for your answer:
OGP Plateau SAP Co-creation Attendance
OGP Co-Creation Pictures
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
1.2 Is the forum multi-stakeholder?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The Forum comprises both governmental and non-governmental representatives from academia (Lecturers), professional associations (Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)), development partners (GIZ), and NGOs (Country Women Association of Nigeria, Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, Jos Green Centre, etc.).
In addition to the Lead Implementing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government and CSOs, other MDAs and CSOs who, though not playing any leading roles, participate in the Technical Working Groups to carry out functions that 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... in the implementation of the commitments.
Provide evidence for your answer:
OGP Plateau SAP Co-creation Attendance
OGP Co-Creation Pictures
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
Pictures
Plateau OGP website showing a list of CSOs
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:
A total of twenty-one formal and informal meetings were held by the forum at the co-creation of the SAP in various formats: state actors alone, non-state actors alone, and jointly.
Provide evidence for your answer:
Plateau OGP Co-creation Agendas
OGP Plateau SAP Co-creation Attendance
OGP Co-Creation Pictures
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
Centre LSD Facebook Post
Pictures
Meeting Agendas
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:
28 non-governmental stakeholders participated in the co-creation of the SAP and also endorsed the final version. Their names are contained in the SAP submitted to OGP.
Provide evidence for your answer:
OGP Co-Creation Pictures
Plateau OGP SAP Validation Session Attendance
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
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:
Yes, Plateau State maintains a Local OGP website linked to the Plateau State Government’s website where information has been published on 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... and the implementation of the State’s Action Plan and other OGP-related events at least every quarter (three months).
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
Plateau OGP website: ogp.plateaustate.gov.ng
2.2 Did the government provide information to stakeholders in advance to facilitate informed and prepared participation in the co-creation process?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
An orientation meeting was held to enlighten MDAs and non-state actors on the OGP and the need to co-create. They were also referred to the OGP website. After their buy-in was gotten, the joint application was submitted.
Provide evidence for your answer:
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 CSOs were advised to get their colleagues on board. In fact, two dissenting factions of the CSOs were brought together to form a coalition so that more CSOs can be involved in the process. A google form was created and shared for all interested parties to participate in the process.
In addition, promo sessions were held on radio and TV to mobilize more participants to join the co-creation process.
Provide evidence for your answer:
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
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?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Stakeholders were present at meetings for the co-creation of the State’s Action Plan and attended a validation session before the final SAP was submitted to OGP, so the feedback was provided during the validation sessions.
Provide evidence for your answer:
OGP Co-Creation Pictures
OGP Plateau SAP Co-creation Attendance
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
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:
Both government and non-governmental stakeholders worked together to set an agenda for commitments and draft the final selection of commitments and their associated milestones. It was during one of such sessions that all stakeholders agreed to add a 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... on extractive 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 to have the participatory budgeting commitment as an annex commitment.
Provide evidence for your answer:
OGP Plateau SAP Co-creation Attendance
OGP Co-Creation Pictures
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
2.6 Would you consider the forum to be inclusive and diverse?
Moderately
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
There is a representation of diverse groups including women and youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... in the Technical Working Groups, and they participated in the co-creation of the SAP. There was a deliberate effort made to ensure equitable genderOGP participating governments are bringing gender perspectives to popular policy areas, ensuring diversity in participatory processes, and specifically targeting gender gaps in policies to address gov... representation on the Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups. However, no such deliberate representation was ensured for persons with disabilities.
Provide evidence for your answer:
OGP Co-Creation Pictures
OGP Plateau SAP Co-creation Attendance
Provide references here (e.g. interviews):
Section 3.
Initial evaluation
of commitments
1 Commitment :
Improving Transparency in the Procurement Processes
1.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The milestones spell out the activities and timelines for their delivery along with estimated budgets.
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:
The commitment aims to make 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... more transparent and to make the State’s Bureau of Public Procurement more accountable.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
A continuation of the 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:
The commitment will involve reviewing and updating current procurement guidelines, uploading procurement data, and conducting a bi-annual Socio-Economic Status Survey of households which are ongoing practices in the state but can be made better.
Sanctioning defaulters is also in line with the existing law of the Bureau. However, conducting monitoring exercises is a new practice.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
Is a positive change to a process, practice, or policy but will not generate a binding or institutionalized change across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment will create positive change- more transparency and accountability but will not include making a law or policy that is binding.
Provide evidence for your answer:
1.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
The commitment should include fewer activities. Given the bureaucracy and paucity of funds, it will be more realistic to have fewer activities for this commitment.
2 Commitment :
Establishing Citizens Dialogue Mechanisms for improved Accountability and Transparency
2.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
All the activities for the commitment will provide an opportunity for the government to better engage with citizens, thereby improving citizens’ engagement.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The implementation of these activities will make governance more participatory, accountable, and transparent because they involve citizens’ engagement, monitoring and evaluation, and access to data.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.3 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:
Some activities in this commitment will involve developing two new policies that will institutionalize the monitoring and evaluation of government activities and provide for community-driven development.
Provide evidence for your answer:
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 commitment activities include the development of two policies that will institutionalize monitoring and evaluation of government activities while the other activities will improve the government’s relationship with citizens.
Provide evidence for your answer:
2.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
The activities here are huge with each of them constituting stand-alone commitments on their own. Envisaging paucity of funds and time constraints, some of these activities may need to be rolled over as commitments in the next State Action Plan.
3 Commitment :
Increasing Transparency and Accountability in the Extractive Sector
3.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The language clearly states what this commitment will achieve: the formation of an Extractives Transparency Forum to ensure that mining companies are held accountable, and the Nigerian government is transparent with revenue accruable to Plateau State from mining activities in the state. The milestones also spell out the activities and timelines for their delivery.
Provide evidence for your answer:
3.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment establishes an institution that will make the government more transparent and make mining companies in the state more accountable.
Provide evidence for your answer:
3.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
A new regulation, policy, practice or requirement.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
Some activities in this commitment will involve the creation of an institution to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDAs), Environmental Management Plans (ESMPs) and that there is an effective and transparent implementation of the derivation principle as provided in the Nigerian Constitution so that revenue accruable from mining activities in the State can be given to it.
Provide evidence for your answer:
3.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
Is a positive change to a process, practice, or policy but will not generate a binding or institutionalized change across government or specific institution(s).
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment creates an institution that is backed by an Executive Order that will result in a strengthening of existing practices bordering on transparency and accountability in the extractive sector.
Provide evidence for your answer:
3.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
The Forum should be created by law to ensure its sustainability because an Executive Order can be set aside by another administration, but it is not so easy to change a law.
4 Commitment :
Improving Gender Equality Through the establishment of a Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission
4.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment clearly spells out the activities that will lead to its implementation and the timelines for its delivery.
Provide evidence for your answer:
4.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment involves setting up an institution that will ensure the implementation of a law to improve gender inclusiveness in governance and reduce gender-based violenceReforms that combat gender-based violence are essential for fostering an inclusive society and government that respects human rights and promotes gender equality. Technical specifications: Commitments....
Provide evidence for your answer:
4.3 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:
Some activities in this commitment will involve amending the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Law 2015 to make it more practicable while setting up a Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission to ensure effective implementation of the Law.
Provide evidence for your answer:
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 activities will involve the amendment of a law to make its implementation more practicable and setting up an institution to ensure its implementation. Because it is backed by law, it will be binding.
Provide evidence for your answer:
4.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
The activities are clear and straightforward. However, the time allotted for the review and amendment of the law seems highly ambitious given that legislative processes are generally protracted. Consequently, the state may consider setting up an Implementation Committee for the Gender Commission pending the review and amendment of the law.
5 Commitment :
Establishing an Independent Peace and Security Fund
5.1 Is the commitment verifiable?
Yes
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The objectives and actions of the commitment are clear, and the milestones have clear outputs that can be verified and outcomes that can be easily measured at the end of the commitment implementation period.
Provide evidence for your answer:
5.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevance to OGP values?
No
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
The commitment cannot be directly linked to any of OGP’s values. However, it impacts heavily on the livelihood of the citizenry considering the recent history of unrest in the state and its negative impact on development.
Provide evidence for your answer:
5.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:
A new regulation, policy, practice, or requirement.
Provide a brief explanation of your answer:
This commitment will involve establishing an Independent Peace and Security Trust Fund to complement the efforts of the state government toward maintaining peace and security in the State. This will involve passing a law to establish the Trust Fund.
Provide evidence for your answer:
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 commitment will result in a change of practices in the security system of the State. It will improve coordination and funding for peacebuilding efforts across the state, with emphasis on pre-conflict interventions and post-conflict support for victims.
Provide evidence for your answer:
5.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?
The time allotted for the passage of the law seems highly ambitious given that the legislative processes are generally protracted. Consequently, the state may consider establishing the Independent Peace and Security Trust Fund by an Executive Order pending the passage of the law.
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