FENRAD advocates for structured transparency, urges Abia State to replace Governor’s media chat

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), a leading civil society organization promoting public accountability and governance, has urged the Abia State Government to replace the traditional Governor’s Media Chat with a more structured, results-driven, and citizen-centered transparency and accountability briefing system.

In a statement signed by the Executive Director, FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, they noted that while the Governor’s Media Chat has served as a platform for government communication, it has increasingly fallen short in providing comprehensive, verifiable, and actionable information on government performance, project implementation, and policy outcomes.

“Currently, the media chat format limits meaningful engagement, restricts data-driven scrutiny, and does not adequately reflect the voices and concerns of ordinary citizens, especially vulnerable and marginalized groups,” FENRAD said.

To address these gaps, FENRAD recommends the institutionalization of periodic Abia State transparency and accountability briefings.

The proposed platform is designed to:
Present a credible and measurable government scorecard, detailing development milestones and ongoing projects; promote citizen scrutiny and feedback to ensure governance processes remain people-centered; enhance inclusiveness by incorporating civil society organizations, women groups, youth stakeholders, community representatives, and persons with disabilities.

Strengthen accountability mechanisms through verifiable data, budget performance reports, and project implementation updates; build public trust and confidence in governance through transparent communication and open dialogue.

FENRAD emphasized that true transparency extends beyond the mere dissemination of information; it requires governance that is accessible, timely, and participatory.

A structured accountability briefing, according to the organization, will enable citizens to better understand public resource allocation and utilization, thereby reinforcing democratic governance and reducing opportunities for mismanagement and opacity.

Furthermore, FENRAD noted that adopting such a platform aligns with global best practices in open governance, positioning Abia State as a leader in subnational transparency, participatory democracy, and sustainable development governance in Nigeria.

The organization outlined key recommendations for the state government, including developing and institutionalizing quarterly transparency and accountability briefings.

Publishing project tracking dashboards and budget performance reports ahead of each briefing, creating space for independent questions and evidence-based engagement from civil society and the media.

Integrating digital platforms to allow broader citizen participation, including rural and underserved communities.

FENRAD concluded by reiterating its commitment to collaborating with government and stakeholders to deepen transparency, promote accountability, and ensure inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development outcomes in Abia State.

“Replacing the Governor’s Media Chat with a structured accountability framework is not only timely but necessary to bridge the gap between governance and the people, while fostering a culture of openness and responsibility in public service,” the statement added.