CSOs calls for more synergy among members, Media, Legal Practitioners to hold govt accountable

The civil society organizations, CSOs, in Aba, Abia State, on February 15th, 2025 organized a roundtable discussion, calling for more synergy among members, the media and legal practitioners to strengthen key legislative frameworks to hold government accountable.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and  signed by eight representatives of different CSOs in Aba,  was centered on  leveraging three key legislative frameworks: the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Public Procurement Act (PPA).

While calling for more synergies among members, the CSOs pointed out the key areas of observation and resolutions.

Read the communique below:

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE ONE-DAY ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION TITLED:
‘SUPPORT TO CIVIL SOCIETY ADVOCACY TOWARDS in STRENGTHENING KEY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORKS FOR INCREASED ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN ABIA STATE’

HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2025, AT CHIDI NWOSU FREEDOM HALL, SUITE 1, ODIM PLAZA, PLOT 192 AZIKIWE ROAD, (CENTRAL BUSINESS AREA) ABA, ABIA STATE.

PREAMBLE:

The one-day roundtable discussion was convened to strengthen civil society groups in Aba by leveraging three key legislative frameworks: the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Public Procurement Act (PPA), and the Fiscal Responsibility Law of Abia State. The event, supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA, was aimed at promoting accountability and transparency in governance using Legislative Frameworks.

The roundtable featured extensive discussions on the limitations encountered in the implementation or use of the Legislative Frameworks by the civil society. Also, strategies for effective advocacy were also considered. Participants were drawn from various civil society organizations (CSOs) working in the area of accountability and transparency in Abia Governance.

OBSERVATIONS:

1. The Public Procurement Act in Abia State was hastily executed in 2012 without local contributions and has not been effectively implemented in the State.

2. The e-procurement portal provided for under the law is non-functional, and the procurement committee mandated by the law is non-existent.

3. The Freedom of Information Act remains a valid tool for accessing public records in Abia State due to a subsisting Court of Appeal judgment affirming its applicability across all states of the federation.

4. The Fiscal Responsibility Act plays a critical role in enhancing fiscal transparency, yet civil society engagement in budget process, public spending, tracking and financial reporting remains opaque.

5. There is a lack of coordinated engagement among CSOs in Abia State, leading to limited impact in advocacy efforts.

6. Many civil society groups have received extensive training on open government principles, but the lack of a unified approach has hindered meaningful engagement with the government.

7. Public procurement processes in Abia State lack transparency, as there is often no clear disclosure of project costs, contractors, and bidding processes.

9. The lack of synergy between CSOs, media, legal practitioners and other relevant stakeholders.

10. Lack of respect for the Legislative Frameworks by public officers and civil servants, by not divulging information as required by law .

RESOLUTIONS:

In view of the above observations, the participants resolved as follows:

1. CSOs in Abia State shall intensify advocacy efforts towards the amendment and full implementation of the Public Procurement Act to reflect local realities and ensure effective public procurement processes.

2. The Abia State Government should operationalize its e-procurement portal and constitute the procurement committee as required by law to enhance transparency.

3. CSOs shall leverage the Freedom of Information Act to demand access to public records and, where necessary, challenge denials of information in court.

4. A structured and coordinated civil society coalition shall be established to promote collective action and constructive engagement with the government.

5. Civil society groups shall proactively monitor public budgets, analyze spending patterns, and hold government accountable for financial decisions.

6. There shall be increased efforts to mobilize grassroots participation in governance through public enlightenment campaigns and citizen engagement initiatives.

7. Civil society actors shall utilize available legal frameworks to demand open procurement processes, including pre-qualification announcements, bidding advertisements, and contract execution transparency.

8. CSOs shall uphold integrity and professionalism in their advocacy work, resisting the temptation to prioritize personal interests over the collective good.

9. Collaboration between civil society organizations, media practitioners, legal experts, and other stakeholders shall be strengthened to ensure holistic advocacy efforts.

10. Efforts shall be made to establish a social platform dedicated to CSO collaboration, ensuring that government representatives do not infiltrate or influence advocacy efforts.

11. The CSOs in attendance resolved to produce and publicize a unified position from the deliberations of the roundtable discussion to strengthen engagement with the government.

12. The need for sustained capacity-building initiatives was emphasized to equip civil society actors and other stakeholders with the necessary skills to drive impactful governance reforms.

CONCLUSION:

The roundtable discussion provided an avenue for CSOs to deliberate on critical governance issues affecting Abia State and to strategize on how to foster efforts for transparency and accountability. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to working collectively to ensure that legislative frameworks on accountability are fully implemented and utilized to hold the government accountable.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Barr. Amaka Biachi, followed by a closing prayer led by Ms. Roselyn Orji. The event ended at exactly 4:23 PM.

SIGNED:
1. Barr. Amaka Biachi (Executive Director, Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support – CHARS Africa)
2. Comde. Okoye, Chuka Peter (Programme Officer, CHARS Africa)
3. Comde. Nelson Nnanna Nwafor (Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development – FENRAD)
4. Comde. Obinna Nwagbara (Youth and Students Advocate for Development Initiative – YSAD)
5. Pastor Innocent Nwokocha (IDEAL-NIGERIA)
6. Ms. Onyinyechi Nwosu (Vivacious Development Initiative – VIDI)
7. Comde. Ibekwe-Umelo Godson (Community Alliance Against Poverty – CAAP)
8. Other Representatives of Participating Organizations.

International IDEA European Union in Nigeria Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption CHARS-Africa National Endowment for Democracy