Position Paper: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability during the Planned N4.2 billion Palliatives for 4,200 SMEs and Other Identified Vulnerable Persons/Groups.
Introduction:
Information available to the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Strengthening Social Protection System of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), reveals that the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, in an interview with the media on February 19, 2024, announced a planned distribution of 4.2 billion worth of palliatives to 4,200 SMEs and other identified Vulnerable Persons/Groups in the state. As concerned citizens, advocates and co-creators of the OGP commitments, we wish to express our pleasure in this development knowing that it holds the great potential to improve the living conditions of many and curb the current biting effect of hunger and poverty in the state.
Past experiences reveal gaps in the implementation of the previous palliative distribution interventions due to weak tracking/monitoring and concerns about transparency and accountability, thereby being unable to measure and evaluate the success of such programmes.
As a body, the OGP is built on four key principles of Transparency, Accountability, Citizen Participation, Technology and innovation. It is on this premise that the Technical Working Group (TWG) responsible for Strengthening Social Protection Systems (Commitment 4 of the OGP State Action Plan III) has generated this position paper made up of concerns and prayers.
Concerns
1. As a body that includes civil society organizations, media and academia in Kaduna, we have engaged and consulted widely with the following concerns/questions raised:
2. What is the percentage distribution of the total amount for SMEs and vulnerable groups?
3. Will the palliative be in monetary form or types of machinery, especially for target SMEs?
4. Is there existing data on SMEs in the state, and what strategy will be used to identify and map out benefitting SMEs?
5. What is the percentage distribution for administrative costs and direct beneficiaries?
6. Will the palliative be distributed as a loan or grant; and if loans, would it be a collateral or non-collateral loan?
7. Who are the key partners in charge of the implementation: identification, enrolment, distribution and tracking of the process?
8. What measures are being put in place to ensure inclusivity, fairness and transparency in the distribution?
9. What sort of SMEs are potential beneficiaries – registered or unregistered SMEs, existing or startups?
10. Is there a specific percentage allocation in terms of gender to ensure equity and inclusion?
11. What per cent of the vulnerable population will be allocated for Persons with Disabilities?
12. What is the targeting mechanism that will be used?
13. Will the database of the beneficiaries be made available on request for external verification and evaluation?
Prayers:
In view of the above, here are our position on the subject matter.
• Transparent Processes: We call for the implementation of transparent processes in the identification of target beneficiaries, sectors, and gender in the distribution of palliative relief. This includes public disclosure of beneficiary lists and distribution schedules.
• Accountability Mechanisms: We request the inclusion of accountability mechanisms working on social protection in the implementation committee to ensure that palliative distribution is conducted fairly, equitably, and accountably. This includes accountability in the disbursement approach, persons to collaborate and clearly stated roles to ensure a seamless process. We request that partners be responsible and accountable to ensure transparency. We request a mechanism for monitoring and evaluation of the disbursement process.
• Inclusive Distribution: We advocate for an update of the Social Register of the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) to ensure that the right population benefits: with adequate gender inclusion, inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and indigent members of the state. If there is an existing list of SMEs in the state, we pray that this list be updated to ensure that enterprises that are no longer in existence are taken out to make room for existing potential beneficiaries.
• Feedback and Redress: We call for establishing a real-time feedback mechanism to allow beneficiaries to report grievances, provide feedback, and seek redress for any issues encountered during the identification, selection and distribution process. This can be achieved through the creation of a platform or an app, (like the Eyes and Ears App), whereby citizens can track implementation, and send complaints or other feedback on the programme. If this is done, the platform can be used as a sustainability tool for subsequent government intervention programmes. This will go a long way in fostering inclusion, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in aid delivery.
Conclusion:Transparency in palliative distribution is essential to uphold principles of fairness, equity, and accountability, thereby improving the economic and financial stability of citizens in the state. These milestones from the social protection commitment, including tracking and disseminating government/partners’ spending on Social Protection programs, and monitoring social protection programs and interventions for inclusion, transparency, and accountability, serve as guiding pillars for our advocacy. By collaborating to address our concerns and prayers outlined in this position paper, we aim to ensure that interventions reach their intended beneficiaries, thereby fostering public trust in the governance of the state and advancing the well-being of our citizens.
Signed:
Dr Alao Eric,
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on Drafting the Position Paper,
SAP lll Technical Working Group on Strengthening Social Protection Systems,
OGP Kaduna.
Joy Gadani,
Secretary of the Ad-hoc Committee on Drafting the Position Paper,
SAP lll Technical Working Group on Strengthening Social Protection Systems,
OGP Kaduna.
Sumayya Abdullahi Hussaini,
CS Co-Chair,
Technical Working Group on Strengthening Social Protection Systems,
OGP Kaduna .
