The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a foremost civil society and public accountability organization, has called on the Abia State Government to replace the conventional Governor’s Media Chat with a more structured, inclusive, and results-driven Transparency and Accountability Briefing Framework.
FENRAD notes that while the Governor’s Media Chat has historically served as a platform for public communication, it has increasingly fallen short in providing comprehensive, verifiable, and citizen-centered information on government performance, project implementation, and policy outcomes.
In its current format, the media chat often limits meaningful engagement, restricts data-driven scrutiny, and does not sufficiently reflect the voices and concerns of ordinary citizens, particularly vulnerable and marginalized groups.
In light of this, FENRAD strongly advocates for the institutionalization of periodic Abia State Transparency and Accountability Briefings—a more robust and participatory alternative that will:
Provide the Abia State Government with a credible platform to present its scorecard, development milestones, and ongoing projects in a detailed and measurable manner;
Promote citizen scrutiny and public feedback, ensuring that governance processes remain people-centered and responsive;
Enhance inclusiveness by incorporating civil society organizations, community representatives, women groups, youth stakeholders, and persons with disabilities into the engagement process;
Strengthen accountability mechanisms through the presentation of verifiable data, budget performance reports, and project implementation updates;
Build public trust and confidence in governance through transparent communication and open dialogue.
FENRAD emphasizes that transparency is not merely about information dissemination but about accessible, timely, and participatory governance.
A structured accountability briefing will enable citizens to better understand how public resources are allocated and utilized, thereby reinforcing democratic governance and reducing opportunities for mismanagement and opacity.
Furthermore, such a platform aligns with global best practices on open governance and will position Abia State as a leader in subnational transparency, participatory democracy, and sustainable development governance in Nigeria.
FENRAD therefore calls on the Abia State Government to:
Develop and institutionalize a quarterly Transparency and Accountability Briefing system;
Ensure the publication of project tracking dashboards and budget performance reports ahead of each briefing;
Create space for independent questions and evidence-based engagement from civil society and the media;
Integrate digital platforms to allow wider citizen participation, including those in rural and underserved communities.
The organization reiterates its commitment to working collaboratively with the government and other stakeholders to deepen transparency, promote accountability, and ensure that development outcomes in Abia State are inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.
FENRAD believes that replacing the Governor’s Media Chat with a more structured accountability framework is not only timely but necessary to bridge the gap between governance and the people, while fostering a culture of openness and responsibility in public service.
Signed:
Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor
Executive Director
Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD)
Tel: 08033383708, 07062949232
Email: info@fenrad.org.ng
Info.fenradnigeria@gmail.com
www FENRAD org ng
