UK, Kaduna govt agree on mutual accountability framework

United Kingdom (UK) and Kaduna State government have held strategic dialogue focused on health, education, social protection, governance and economic transformation.

The two governments have also agreed on mutual accountability framework.

A statement on Thursday in Abuja by the Policy and Communications Manager of the British High Commission, Elva Lynch-Bathgate, revealed that between 28th and 30th June, the United Kingdom’s Development Director in Nigeria, Dr Christopher Pycroft, and representatives from the British High Commission held strategic dialogue talks with Kaduna State government to discuss the Kaduna Mutual Accountability Framework (K-MAF).

She explained that the K-MAF, which was signed by the UK and Kaduna government is a policy document that provides the blueprint for the socio-economic development of Kaduna State, aligned with the overarching Kaduna State Development Plan -2021-2025.

She said the framework formed the basis for the dialogue with all parties setting out their commitments and ways to hold each other mutually accountable.

Lynch-Bathgate said through this strengthened partnership, mutual commitments, dialogue, transparency, and accountability, greater impact will be achieved in supporting the Kaduna State Government’s own efforts.

She noted that in convening of this dialogue, Kaduna State has shown commitment and passion to the path of economic growth, good governance and investment in its people.

The Development Director, Dr Christopher Pycroft, was quoted to have said at the strategic dialogue, that: “This Strategic Dialogue to discuss our mutual accountability commitments affords us all the opportunity to do more. Kaduna State faces many challenges on the road to sustainable development – but this K-MAF is a call to action. We can use this strategic dialogue to discuss what both sides can do differently to deliver more results for the people of the state and empower them to fulfil their potential.”

During the dialogue, technical sessions were held to identify constraints and opportunities and how best the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can support the Kaduna State Government to address them.

In recognising the Kaduna State government’s engagement on open governance and transparency, Dr Pycroft added: “I urge you to keep up the good work in your fiscal and budget transparency and accountability to the citizens of Kaduna state. This is such an important element in building the social contract between the government and the people.”

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, was said to have explained that with the accountability framework, the state would work with the development partners for its full implementation and will not relent until the set objectives are achieved, which is aimed at delivering good governance to the people of Kaduna state.

The statement recalled that FCDO Nigeria has played a strong role over the past 20 years in the development and growth of Kaduna and will continue to partner with the state for a sustainable, empowered, and accountable development path for its people.

Kaduna State is one of the three focus partner states of FCDO Nigeria’s mutual accountability approach – the others being Kano and Jigawa States, with the reported dialogue being the first multi-sectoral strategic dialogue with Kaduna State.

The UK which signed a Mutual Accountability Framework with Jigawa State on 16, June 2021, had done same in 2017 with Kaduna State, making it the first sub-national government in the country to sign up to the Open Governance Partnership (OGP), aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability and citizen participation in governance.