The Executive Chairman, Ikot Ekpene Local government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Elder Aniefiok Nkom has pledged readiness to key into Policy Alert’s project on promoting inclusion, accountability and transparency in budget implementation at grassroots governance.
The Council Boss made the commitment when members of Policy Alert led by Idorenyin Eyo paid an advocacy visit on him at the council secretariat Ikot Ekpene On Thursday.
Recall that, Policy Alert, a Non Governmental Organisation in the State is currently implementing a project tagged, “Prioritizing Communities: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in Local Government Administration,” funded by Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).
Addressing the delegation, Nkom said he runs an open door government as anyone can easily access him, even as he stressed that inclusion and transparency were his watchwords.
“Here we run an open door government, any person can walk in here to find answers to whatever question he is looking for. So I’ll buy into the project since it will be for development of my area and empowerment of my people.” He said.
Introducing the project to the council boss earlier, the Project Lead, Idorenyin Eyo revealed that the project will focus on 10 local government areas (LGAs) spread across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State, with the aim to improve public service delivery.
She said the focus would be to train youths on budget literacy and tracking.
Her words, ”At the heart of the project is a commitment to empowering citizens, especially youth, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups, to actively engage in governance processes and influence development decisions that affect their lives.
“The initiative will directly engage 390 young people, building the capacity of youth-led and youth-focused organizations, including past and current NYFF grantees, to become effective advocates for transparency and accountability.
”The project will establish inclusive platforms for dialogue, including advocacy visits to critical stakeholders, community town hall meetings, and participatory budgeting forums.”
The highpoint of the advocacy visit was signing of a communique by the Chairman to show his commitment for the implementation of the project.
