Chars Africa, Media agree together to hold govt accountable to the people in Abia

Emelam Udo Umuahiia.

An NGO, African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) and the media in Abia have agreed to work together, how to hold the government accountable to the people.

The resolution was taken at a roundtable conference with the Media in Umuahia , Abia State Capital during a discourse titled” Support to Civil Society Advocacy towards Strengthening Key legislative Frameworks for increased Accountability and Good Governance in Abia state .

Amaka Biachi,  Chief Executive of the CHARS AFRICA , while speaking at the roundtable Media chat said it was only through effective collaboration between Civil Society Organizations and the the Media that government could be held accountable to the people.

The one day Conference was supported by Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption(ROLAC) Programme,

Biachi disclosed that key  legislative Frameworks such as Procurement Act,2007, Freedom of Information Act,2011 and Fiscal Responsibility Act,2007 and their roles roles had been put in place to hold those in position of authourity accountable.to the people

Biachi said that in Abia state only the procurement Act had been domesticated while efforts should be made towards domestcatimg  others.

Peter Omenka Programme Director, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption(ROLAC) Programme, Abia state,thanked the Media in the state for assuring Civil Society Organizations of its readiness to partner with them to hold the state government accountable.

The roundtable chat discussed barriers encountered in the use Frameworks in accountability issues in Abia state, measures taken that could aid media Practitioners to overcome these challenges and how media actors would promote the use of the legislative frameworks for accountability and good governance in Abia state.

The highlights of the roundtable chat, was the distribution of Public Procurement Act,2007, Freedom of Information Act,2011 and Fiscal Responsibility Act,2007 publications to media practitioners in Umuahia by Chief Executive Officer,CHARS-Africa

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