From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government, in partnership with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Kaduna Branch, has committed to improving transparency, accountability, and quality assurance in public infrastructure projects through the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST).
Making this point during a one-day awareness workshop yesterday, at the Planning and Budget Commission Conference Hall, the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Mukhtar Ahmed, emphasized that the state’s SUSTAIN Agenda focuses on delivering durable and impactful projects.
He stated that the value of these projects can only be maximized through transparency and integrity.
“The CoST framework ensures that every naira spent on public infrastructure provides maximum value to our communities.
“By collaborating with the NSE, we aim to leverage your expertise and professional excellence to advance this transformative agenda”, Ahmed said.
Ahmed also highlighted the significance of social accountability, stressing the need for collaboration between the private sector and CSOs to hold public officials accountable
He noted that Kaduna’s ongoing partnership with CSOs under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) provides a strong foundation for these efforts.
The workshop gathered representatives from the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the media, the Contractors Association, youth groups, and technical experts.
A special guest, Hamish Goldie-Scot, CoST Technical Adviser from the UK, attended virtually, bringing over 45 years of engineering experience.
NSE Kaduna Chairman, Engr. Arege Samson stated that the principles of CoST align with engineering ethics, which include transparency, integrity, and value for money.
He disclosed that the branch’s Infrastructure Scorecard Committee, established to assess government projects, had encountered challenges in accessing reliable data and project locations.
“I am hopeful that after today’s workshop, those barriers will no longer hinder us. With the tools we’ve gained, we can now obtain the necessary information to effectively evaluate government infrastructure”, Samson declared.
Participants emphasized the necessity of closer collaboration between the government, engineers, and civil society to ensure that Kaduna’s infrastructure meets the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and accountability.
