Edo State Attorney-General Assures OGP Stakeholders on State Action
Benin-City, Nigeria. July 2, 2020… The Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Co-Chair of the Edo State Open Government Partnership (OGP), Prof Yinka Omorogbe has assured stakeholders that the Edo State Action Plan (SAP) developed some months ago will be signed by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki soon.
Prof Omorogbe gave the assurance while receiving the Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev David Ugolor and the Edo State OGP Co-Chair (Non-State Actors), Mr Leo Atakpu in her office today.
While acknowledging the busy nature of Government in the state in the past few months due to party primaries ahead of the September 19 Edo Governorship polls, Rev Ugolor told the Commissioner that there was need for the State Governor to sign the Edo State Action Plan so that it can become effective as one of the major achievements of the Godwin Obaseki administration in the state.
“Once the Edo State Action Plan is signed, all stakeholders in Government, Private Sector and Civil Society would swing into action. We would get down to work and begin to put into place all those things we have co-created. All the reforms laid out in the plan would be implemented by all parties.
“Ours is to reinforce the plans of government, so that in the end, it will be win-win for all citizens in Edo State.” Ugolor submitted.
He further noted that the State Government has done so much in the area of judicial and economic reforms and sued for its sustenance.
Commissioner Omorogbe had told the duo of Ugolor and Atakpu that the Governor was disposed to signing the State Action Plan but was quick to hint that the snag, beyond the busy political activities was the Governor referring the draft SAP to the State Executive Council before it gets to him.
Edo OGP Co-Chair, Mr. Leo Atakpu had informed the Attorney-General that all the document needed was the Governor’s signature since most EXCO members were part of the designing. She then promised to speak with the Governor in the next one week as suggested to ensure the completion of the process.
Prof Omorogbe while fielding questions from the ANEEJ team reeled out a number of judicial reforms embarked upon by the Governor Obaseki-led administration in the state aimed at strengthening the rule of law, access to information and Citizens participation in Edo State which are the hallmarks of the Edo OGP.
The ANEEJ ED also offered to reach out to the SSG to expedite action in getting the process completed.
The ANEEJ helmsman, David Ugolor used the opportunity of the visit to make an immediate offer to provide the OGP unit in her ministry with equipment, computers, printers, scanners, as well as other office stationery to enable them function more effectively on behalf of his organization.
For further information, please contact: info@aneej.org.