TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AS PANACEA FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE: THE IKPEAZU EXAMPLE
Posted by Kingsley Maduforo | 6 years ago | 2,497 times
There is a need to realise the ideals of good governance which are characterized by participation, consensus, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness, equity and rule of law. Good governance ensures that the people at large have a stake in the affairs of their state and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of governance. The governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, who is very much loved and admired by his people, is well known for his open-door policy, inclusive leadership style, and close contact with the masses. This is highly commendable.
Unsurprisingly, the avalanche of goodwill, acceptance and support he enjoys from various sphere of the society have remained unbeatable in the state. Gov. Ikpeazu, in less than four years in office has received many commendations for his good works and uninfluenced endorsement for re-election in 2019 from virtually all the major segments of the society especially as they come from leaders of religious and traditional institutions, chieftains of the opposition political parties, the state and local government workforce, traders, road transport workers and artisans.
Gov. Ikpeazu has entrenched peace and good governance in Abia State, in spite of the prevalent daunting economic challenges in Nigeria. He has maintained his longstanding path to vision, integrity, inclusiveness, accountability, transparency and prudent management of resources. His milestone feats in the provision of critical infrastructure across the state; rural development; qualitative and affordable education and healthcare delivery; regular payment of workers' salaries; innovative and robust investment drive, peace and security; economic empowerment; and agricultural revolution, among others, have been acknowledged and applauded by friends and foes alike.
For instance, Gov. Ikpeazu's investment in infrastructure is one of the main mechanisms for laying a solid foundation for the next generation. Extensive and efficient infrastructure is critical for ensuring the effective functioning of the economy because it is an important determining factor in the location of economic activities and the kinds of sector that can develop in a particular economy. The governor and his team has laid a well-developed infrastructure that reduces the effect of distance between states and integrates the national market, connecting it at low cost to markets in the state. In addition, the quality and extensiveness of infrastructural network we have in the state, has significantly impacted economic growth and affected income inequalities and poverty in a variety of ways. More so, as key driver for progress, infrastructural development happens to be a critical enabler of productivity and sustainable economic growth as much as it also contributes heavily to development, poverty reduction, and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Recently, Abia State received an award as the Most MSME Friendly State in Nigeria. This unarguably attests to the tireless effort of Gov. Ikpeazu to place Abia on the economic World map through our locally made goods. Sam Hart, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication, in his recent article entitled 'Ikpeazu Is a Beacon of Hope' wrote: ''The Okezie Ikpeazu administration has given new hope to Abians by nurturing a beneficial relationship between the Abia State Government and the Federal Government. This relationship has opened countless doors of opportunities for Abians. The 1st Federal Government MSME Clinic was held at Aba in 2017 and that enabled Federal Agencies to pay special attention to Abia State and provided critical support in enterprise development. Today, the Bank of Industry, the Nigeria Export Import Bank and similar development finance institutions are supporting a number of businesses and initiatives in Abia State."
Gov. Ikpeazu's administration will continue to deliver projects to all communities irrespective of their political affiliation. The mandate of the people is an opportunity to serve. His second tenure is going to be another journey of remarkable achievements, Abians are going to witness improvement in the provision of infrastructure, entrepreneurship training and agricultural development, and a strengthened security apparatus across the state.
Kingsley Maduforo, is a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov. Ikpeazu on Media.
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