A civil society organisation (CSO), African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support, and the Correspondent’s Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia State council have held a media roundtable on government accountability.
The event themed, “Support to Civil Society Advocacy Towards Strengthening Key Legislative Frameworks for Increased Accountability and Good Governance in Abia State,” was held in Umuahia, the state capital.
In a remark, the state director of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, Peter Omenka stressed the need for strong ties between CSOs and the media to hold governments accountable.
He lauded both the executive director of the centre, Amaka Biachi and the journalists for their drive for enthronement of accountability and good governance in the country.
Omenka solicited the partnership and cooperation of the chapel in the discharge of RoLAC activities in the state.
Earlier, the executive director emphasised the need for collaboration between CSOs, other stakeholders and the media to hold governments in the country accountable.
She urged stakeholders to hold governments accountable using the Public Procurement Act, 2007; Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.
The executive director noted that the state had only domesticated the Public Procurement Act, 2007, expressing the hope that the centre and the chapel would work in synergy.
In a response, the chapel chairman, Obinna Ibe said holding governments accountable is one of the primary functions of the media and assured the centre of the members partnership to actualise the mandate.
