As reported by the Nigerian Tribune, Connected Development (CODE) has launched a new initiative, #ProjectTrustNG, aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in governance. The project is themed “Deepening and Institutionalising Accountability, Social Inclusion Systems, and Processes to Promote Resilience and Sustainability in Governance across Nigeria.”

Speaking at a one-day capacity training programme for project managers, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers, directors, and legislative affairs personnel from 11 selected ministries in Kwara State, CODE’s State Support Officer, Kehinde Akinsola, highlighted that the programme’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of MDA personnel in data management and monitoring and evaluation.

Supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, #ProjectTrust seeks to promote transparency and accountability in governance by empowering ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to deliver effective services and projects that benefit constituents.

Akinsola also said that the selected 20 participants were drawn from the Kwara state’s ministries of Health, Water Resources, Education & Human Capital Development, Planning and Budgeting, the House of Assembly, the state primary health care development agency, the State Fiscal Responsibility Commission, RUWASA, local government, and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on SDGs.

He said that the focus of the project is on the development of health, water, education, and persons with disabilities in the state, adding that it would ensure accountability of development projects being facilitated by people’s representatives in the National Assembly.

“The M&E officers, for instance, would be able to evaluate and monitor such projects and give feedback to the constituents with the aim of putting an end to the issue of abandoned or uncompleted projects. It’s capacity-building training for the participants because we know that when people are trained, it would help their productivity and their deliverables would be achieved,” he said.

The CODE’s Support Officer also said that the project has already made significant progress, with the onboarding and training of Community of Practice (CoP) members from six states: Kwara, Anambra, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Yobe, and Osun.

“These CoP members have been tasked with championing social accountability and promoting the institutionalisation of proven systems developed by Connected Development (CODE) in Kwara State.

“This initiative demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its institutions and promoting good governance. By promoting transparency and accountability, Project Trust aims to build trust between citizens and government and ensure that government services are delivered efficiently and effectively.”

The facilitator of the training, Mrs Janet Ogunkayode, said that the project’s focus on social accountability and citizen participation also ensures that the needs and perspectives of citizens are taken into account in governance, promoting inclusive and responsive governance.

According to Ogunkayode, “Overall, #ProjectTrust represents a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in governance in Nigeria and has the potential to make a lasting impact on the country’s governance landscape.”

One of the participants, Mrs Lawal Mistira O. from the Kwara State House of Assembly, commended the project CODE for their initiative and support towards ensuring that MDAs are fully equipped with project tracking, transparency, and accountability in governance.