By Maureen Agbala/Chris Chikelue
Anambra State Government has created a direct platform known as ‘the Solution Lens’ with the sole aim of interfacing with individuals or groups in the quest for information about government activities and sites of amenities provided in the state.
This came up at the launching of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Action Plan 2 initiative which was held in Awka on April 8.The event was cohosted by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Anambra State Information, Communication and Technology Agency led by Mr. Fred Agbata.
While declaring the event open, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake said that a new era is birthed in the state where openness in governance is the key.She added that part of what the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo promised the state during his campaign was an open government policy where everybody would be carried along hence the launching of the Solution Lens.
“Getting a direct access to your government is now made easy with this technological Innovation. OGP is a citizen centered initiative premised on the projection of Anambra State to the World.
”One of the Facilitators in the event from the ICT Agency, Mr. Castro Ideke while taking the participants through the workability of the Solution Lens said that the innovation is meant to update the people on government activities.
“The Solution Lens will help the people to decide how to shape the state to their taste; it will help the people to decide how they want to be ruled and that one has to register into the platform with various personal details so as to be able to use it.
“Whichever aspect of the governance or project you want information on just type the required ministry handling the project and you will get your desired information.’’
Mr. Ideke showed various platforms with different subheads which the people can utilize to speak to the government or to access the needed information.
The Commissioner for Lands Prof. Amucheazi Offonze a Senior Advocate of Nigeria told the meeting that his ministry is doing a lot to deliver the government purpose of bettering the state for the good living of the people.
He boasted that there is nothing one will do without the application of land therefore, “anything you want to see on the development of the state through the Ministry of Lands, just tap into the Solution Lens and get all information you desired’’.
Participants commended the project and the state government saying that Anambra state will be recorded amongst states of the country with the highest tolerance for openness and transparency in government.
The event involved various stakeholders like Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Civil Liberty Organizations, Town Union representatives and state partners.
*Maureen and Chris are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State*
