Iduozee Paul Benin
As corruption persist in all Institutions in Nigeria, stakeholders from various section in the society have lamented how corruption had cause underdeveloped in the country.
Arrived at a communique on a one day Roundtable Sensitization/Discussion programme, organized by Edo state NOA, Benin city, they urged the Government at all levels to create a conducive environments to attract investors, make business to strive and develop human capacity.
The other resolutions in the communique are; Government should properly fund security to put an end to insecurity in Edo state, and Nigeria at large, Government should encourage the citizenry to make use of social media to wage the fight against corruption.
They said the citizens should have access to information on Government activities as this will form the basis for sustainable democracy, the citizens should wake up to their responsibilities by optimally employing the use of the FOI Act to drive development in Nigeria.
Equally, others stated that partakers rued the paucity of funds, which has incapacitated the Agency and solicited for increased budgetary allocation, urged Government to give stewardship in yearly basis to enthroned good Governance.
Delivering her speech at the event, the Edo State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Grace Eseka Ewere, said the one day Roundtable Sensitization Discussion programme for stakeholders is aimed at promoting transparency, accountability and stewardship in Governance through the understanding and application of the Freedom of Information Act, 211.
The NOA boss stressed the Agency is saddled with the mobilization of the citizenry towards Government policies, programmes and activities, as well as public enlightenment.
She said" the Agency is also responsible for leading the citizens engagement and empowering commitment II of the second National Action Plan (NAP II) of the Open Government Partnership in addition to publicity of FOI, Act 2011.
" You will agree with me, that the World over, democracy has become the most preferred and acceptable system of government. This is understandably so because it recognized the fact that, sovereignty lies with the people."
They are; the Code of Conduct Breau(COB) the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Civil Society Organization (CSO), some NOA heads in various local government areas in Edo state where in attendance.
