From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
In a significant move to promote transparency and accountability in public infrastructure, the Kaduna State Government has launched Nigeria’s first-ever sub-national Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI) survey.
This historic initiative aims to track, assess, and enhance transparency in infrastructure delivery, ensuring that public projects are managed efficiently and effectively.
The launch event, organized by the CoST International Secretariat, the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC), and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), brought together stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners.
Commissioner Mukhtar Ahmed Monrovia highlighted the importance of transparency in public infrastructure, stating, “Public infrastructure is the lifeline of our communities. We must ensure that every naira is used efficiently to drive growth and development.”
The ITI survey will evaluate performance across four essential pillars: Enabling Environment, Institutional Capacities, Citizen Participation, and Information Disclosure.
International ITI Coordinator David Zamora explained that the index uses a 100-point scoring system to assess performance, identifying weaknesses and promoting reforms through peer learning and global best practices.
This initiative is expected to enhance project delivery, minimize waste, and rebuild public trust in government projects.
State CoST Manager Tara Jeremiah emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “This is about bringing everyone to the table; government, civil society, and citizens to ensure infrastructure works for the people.”
The results of the ITI survey will be publicly accessible, serving as a guide for policy reform and a tool to attract private sector investment.
With MDAs expected to submit data, complete surveys, and provide evidence for evaluation, the ITI rollout signals a move toward more transparent governance in Kaduna’s infrastructure sector.
