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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International Idea), an intergovernmental organisation sponsored by the European Union, with a mandate to support sustainable democracy worldwide, has chosen Abia as a focal State for its second phase of the E-U funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme.
This was disclosed by the organisation’s Head of Programme in Nigeria, Mr. Danladi Plang when he led a team of the EU partners on a working visit to the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti.
Plang said the Phase I of the programme, which started in 2017 and ended last year, had five focal states participating.
Plang, requesting for support from the Governor, said the RoLAC programme aims at contributing to the consolidation of rule of law and good governance reforms within participating countries or states with specific objective to help improve the justice and anti corruption systems.
He disclosed that International Idea, which has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, with 35 countries as members, chose Abia as its focal state for the Phase II of its programme, “following internal conversations at the EU and what has been said about the reforms that are taking place in Abia State”.
Plang, who commended Governor Otti on his leadership qualities, said the programme has been extended for another five years and Abia and Plateau states were chosen to join Lagos, Anambra, Edo, Kano and Adamawa states for the Phase II, beginning this year.
“For us, it confirms what has been said about Abia, since His Excellency, the Governor, Alex Otti, assumed leadership. It is a testament to the good work that you’re doing and also a testament to the fact that the people of Abia State did not make a mistake in electing you, seeing the support that is coming from the other development partners,” Plang said.
“The purpose of our coming is to introduce our organisation, International Idea, and also to introduce the programme that the European Union has extended to Abia State and to seek your support and cooperation as we begin this project.”
He emphasized that the International Idea through the programme hopes to enhance the performance, quality and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice services delivery of participating states; improve access to justice for vulnerable groups, among whom are women, children, juveniles, persons with disabilities and victims of sexual based gender violence.
He also advocated for increase transparency and accountability in anti corruption systems and reforms through support to Anti-Corruption Agencies, improved public procurement, reinforced complaints mechanisms, and enhanced civil society and citizen participation.
Governor Otti thanked Plang and his team for their visit and for choosing Abia as one of the focal states for the programme in Nigeria, while pledging government’s support to help them succeed.
Otti said though Abia has made significant progress from where his administration met it, but lamented the State was still no where near what he visioned as there is still so much to be done.
“There are a lot of things that we’re still struggling with. That’s why we are happy to have you. On our own, we had taken principled stand on a few issues that have to do with gender based violence, people with disabilities and women and children, vulnerable groups.
“So, while we were taking the decisions and appointing people to supervise those roles, we were actually not thinking about you or anybody. We just felt that was the right thing to do”, Otti told the delegation.
