By Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya
Accountability and transparency stand as twin pillars of ethical governance and social trust. At their core lies a simple yet profound assertion, that those who wield power, whether in government, business or personal relationships, must not only be answerable for their actions but must also lay bare the processes, decisions and motivations by which they act. Transparency dispels the shadows of secrecy, inviting scrutiny and illuminating the pathways of decision.
Loading ...Accountability ensures that. However, once illuminated, those pathways bear the weight of responsibility and consequence.
Philosophically, this principle finds resonance in the enlightenment’s clarion call for reason and openness. Thinkers like Emmanuel Kant insisted that moral agents must act according to maxims that could be willed as universal law, an idea that implicitly demands what we know and judge those maxims. In the same vein, John Locke’s social contract posits that authority springs from the consent of the governed, that without clear windows into decision-making and the promise of being held to account, that consent erodes, and the legitimacy of any institution falters.
Yet, accountability and transparency are not mere procedural niceties, they are the lifeblood of communal flourishing. By embracing them, societies cultivate a shared epistemic space where truth is pursued, errors corrected and learning accelerated. They foster a moral ecology in which leaders are reminded that power is a trust, not a trophy, and citizens are empowered to participate, not as passive recipients, but as vigilant custodians of the common good. In this dynamic interplay, accountability and transparency as well as openness transform from abstract ideals into living forces that guide us toward justice, dignity and collective wisdom.
In fact, in public governance, accountability and transparency stand as the two strongest pillars upon which sustainable development is built. In Kano State, the administration of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has boldly championed these values by institutionalizing reforms that not only align with global best practices but also reflect the genuine will to deliver good governance to the people. Guided by the amended Kano State Public Procurement Law of 2021, the State Government has embarked on a decisive journey to reposition its procurement processes and enhance monitoring mechanisms in order to ensure value for money, quality project delivery and public confidence in government operations.
Over the past two years, the government has deployed strategic interventions to sanitize procurement processes, digitize oversight systems, empower Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and engage citizens directly in monitoring and evaluating projects, as well as decision making. These actions have been both proactive and transformative, laying the foundation for a future where waste is minimized, corruption is tackled and the benefits of public spending are felt tangibly from the top to the bottom
The Kano State Government, under the able leadership of Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf, through the Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring has been one of the MDAs at the forefront of this transformation. A look at this ministry reveals an impressive list of key milestones and initiatives so far recorded.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND STRATEGIC MEASURES:
1. Institutional Enforcement of the Procurement Law: In a bid to ensure full adherence to the Kano State Public Procurement Law 2021 (as amended), His Excellency directed, via a Council extract, that no MDA shall submit requests for approval on works, goods or services without strict compliance with the provisions of the law. This directive marked a turning point in governance, compelling all MDAs to adhere to transparent procurement protocols such as:
a. Public advertisement of tenders to encourage competitive bidding.
b. Public opening of bids to enhance transparency and competitiveness.
c. Mandatory issuance of ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NoC) prior to any Council consideration.
d. Vetting of payment certificates to ensure conformity before contractors receive payment.
These measures have significantly curtailed arbitrary approvals, ensured cost-effectiveness and improved project delivery timelines.
2. Periodic Procurement Audits: Recognizing the importance of accountability in procurement processes, the Ministry of Procurement and Monitoring has commenced periodic procurement audits to evaluate the level of compliance across MDAs and to ensure that all documentation adheres strictly to regulatory standards. The first audit cycle is already underway, marking a new era of data-backed decision-making and proactive correction of malpractices.
3. Annual Procurement and Disposal Plan (APDP): To align government spending with strategic priorities, the administration directed the formulation of an Annual Procurement and Disposal Plan (APDP). This process, currently ongoing, aims to provide a centralized, coordinated framework that guides procurement activities and ensures synchronization across MDAs.
4. Development of Standard Bidding Documents: Standardization is key to fairness. The government has set in motion the review and development of standard bidding documents for all procurement categories. Once finalized, this initiative will unify the procurement language across all MDAs and reduce irregularities, thereby building investor confidence.
5. Digitization of Procurement and Monitoring Systems: One of the most visionary steps taken by the administration of Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf, is the digitization of procurement and monitoring processes. Through the ongoing development of the Kano State Integrated Monitoring System, (KSIMS), which is already (90%) at the completion stage, Kano state will soon have the capacity to track projects in real-time, receive digital updates and conduct data analytics on government spendings.
Moreover, the e-procurement portal, though still in its early stages, promises to revolutionize how tenders are advertised, bids submitted, and contracts awarded, bringing Kano closer to a fully digital and corruption-resistant procurement future.
6. Development of a Statewide Monitoring Framework: The Kano State Government through the Ministry of Procurement has initiated the design of a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework to institutionalize oversight mechanisms across the entire governance spectrum. This framework will provide standardized indicators, tools and reporting formats to facilitate objective project assessment.
7. Monthly Evaluation of Projects Across LGAs: In an unprecedented demonstration of commitment, the Abba Kabir Yusuf led administration has ensured that every Local Government Area in the state is visited monthly for project monitoring. Findings are consistently reported to His Excellency, which enables data-driven corrective actions. This has improved project quality, community satisfaction and cost efficiency.
8. Capacity Building for MDAs: To bridge the knowledge gap in procurement practices, the Ministry has organized series of capacity-building workshops and trainings for MDAs. These sessions are aimed at enlightening officers on the provisions of the Public Procurement Law and empowering them to carry out their functions in line with best practices.
9. Policy Frameworks and Operational Guidelines: As part of efforts to institutionalize reforms, the Kano State Government has reviewed and developed several key policy documents, including:
a. Operational Guidelines for the Disposal of Public Property
b. Monitoring and Evaluation Guidelines
c.Guidelines on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
d. Public Procurement Manual: These documents serve as a compass for implementation and are helping to instill discipline, consistency and legal compliance across board.
10. Community Engagement in Project Monitoring: Understanding that governance must be participatory, the Ministry of Procurement and Monitoring has been actively engaging communities in project monitoring efforts. Through town hall meetings and field interactions, community members are empowered to provide feedback, ensuring that projects reflect the true needs of the people.
11. Radio Engagement for Public Awareness: To deepen public understanding and promote inclusiveness, the Ministry of Procurement and Monitoring has initiated regular radio programmes to educate citizens about procurement reforms, their rights and how to get involved in governance. This step has expanded the information space and brought government closer to the grassroots.
12. In furtherance of this efforts, and in a bid to keep the Kano people fully informed of all Government spendings and projects. The Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, has instituted a practice whereby all projects and resolutions approved by the State Executive Council are made public immediately after the council meeting, for the citizens to follow up with the approved projects and budget that would be executed in their own, village or community. The figure for each project is published clearly on social media handles, and are published on some conventional media platforms
The strategic actions enumerated above underscore the deep commitment of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to promote integrity, transparency and citizen-centred governance in Kano State. Through, the Ministry of Procurement, deliberate and structured implementation of procurement laws and monitoring protocols, the foundations for good governance are being laid brick by brick.
These interventions not only comply with legal frameworks but also reflect a progressive vision that places people over politics, quality over quantity and integrity over expedience.
As these reforms continue to gain momentum, the people of Kano State can look to a future where public resources are deployed responsibly, monitored meticulously and used for the collective good of all.
Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya is the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Kano state
