By Clement Shekogaza Wasah
A structured process of citizen engagement has been flagged off in the State. Christened G2P/P2G (Government to People/People to Government), the initiative is the brainchild of Dr. Abdul Isiaq, Special Adviser on Stakeholders Relations to the Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, and a synergetic collaboration of Special Advisers and Assistants on Stakeholders Relations, Community Engagement and Relations, Support Groups, and Public Affairs.
As the name suggests, G2P/P2G is a platform which beams government policies, plans, projects, and programs to the people. In reverse, it views the needs and aspirations of the people to the government. This is in line with His Excellency, Sen. Uba Sani’s avowed commitment to nurturing citizen engagement and rural transformation as the main pillar of the Kaduna State Government, which leads.
G2P/P2G is an inclusive and diverse mechanism through which stakeholders, including marginalized or non-represented groups, receive authentic government information and provide input and feedback to the government.
P2G/P2G will also empower stakeholders to implement nano and micro projects that address pressing challenges. For instance, in the engagement with the leadership of keke (tricycle) operators under the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle, Motorcycle Owners Riders & Repairers Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NATOMORON), City Riders, and other groups, policy and operational issues were placed on the table.
However, they poured encomiums on the State Government under Sen. Uba Sani for engendering a conducive environment for operation, even as they called for a review of the policy on their prohibition in some areas. Most pleasing to them was the fact that they were being engaged in a friendly dialogue with government officials rather than being merely informed of government policies, restrictions, or taxes, as was the case in the past.
They also pledged to be law-abiding and step up self-regulatory measures to check bad behavior of members. Since the meeting with the keke operators took place in the week when there was a shortage of supply of premium motor spirit (fuel), it was no surprise that access to fuel at an affordable price was the most pressing challenge they faced and would be glad to get support on.
Following the unanimity of the participants, G2P/P2G piloted a collaborative micro-project implementation with the leadership of keke operators in the four metropolitan local governments of Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna North, and Kaduna South. On Wednesday, July 17 and 18, 2024, the pilot micro-project of fuel support to keke operators was launched in Kaduna North and Chikun Local Government. Igabi and Kaduna South Local Government operators had their turn the following week.
G2P/P2G aims to foster relationships within and without based on mutual respect, empathy, and reliability and encourage and enable community members to contribute their ideas and skills as they work.
G2P/P2G will support community capacity building and skills development.
On full throttle, G2P/P2G will have structures of implementation at state, local government, ward, and street-level volunteers, thereby fueling seamless citizen engagement in Kaduna State.
