By Kenneth Onuoha
365Daily – Ebonyi State has been selected as one of the six states for the implementation of Action plan for state to state activities by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID.
The action plan will also be implemented in Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Bauchi and Sokoto States and it is expected to last for a period of five years.
Inaugurating the Transformation Committee to steer the implementation of the plan, the Governor of the sate, David Umahi, said the USAID programme dwells on accountability, transparency and effectiveness in governance.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, identified lack of transparency, accountability and effectiveness in the conduct of government business as the bane of most countries of the world.
”I believe it is the transparent ways we have conducted the affairs of government that made USAID to find Ebonyi worthy to participate in this special programme,” he said.
The Governor expressed the hope that the programme will deepen and strengthen government engagements in activities that will boost integrity of governance in States and Local Government Areas of implementation.
He commended USAID for the initiative and assured that Ebonyi State will make maximum use of the programme.
The Principal Secretary to the Governor, Clement Nweke, explained that Ebonyi State Government attaches importance to the programme, adding that the Governor has carefully selected membership of the committee from line ministries and agencies.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Committee and Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Kenneth Ugbala, thanked the Governor for considering them worthy to serve in the committee.
He gave an assurance that they will carry out the assignment with every sincerity of heart for the benefit of the state.
The 23-member Committee is, among other things, expected to come up with inputs that will guide the preparation of state actions, matching technical and financial support and also ensure that the plans integrate analysis from other USAID programmes.
It will come up with best innovations for use in the state, as well as develop a gender plan of action to expand women participation in the transformation committee.