The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has emerged as the highest-ranked public institution in the 2024 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII).
Dr Umar Yakubu, Executive-Director, Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, (CeFTI), announced this at the Public Presentation of the 4th Edition of the TII, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Yakubu said that the index was put together by the (CeFTI) in collaboration with the Bureau for Public Service Reform, (BPSR), with support by McArthur Foundation.
He said that the TII was an assessment that seeks to evaluate the performances of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through a peer review mechanism.
He said that the review mechanism was in relation to their compliance in proactive disclosure of information and compliance to extant provisions of transparency.
He added that the objective and guiding principles of the TII were fiscal transparency, open procurement, human resources and inclusiveness, control of corruption and citizens engagement.
Yakubu said the index presented the overall ranking of 514 selected government institutions, adding that the NOSDRA secured top position with an impressive score of 77.92 per cent.
“The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) follows closely in 2nd position with a notable score of 71.53 per cent, the same position the commission secured in 2023, but with a higher score this year.
“While the Development Bank of Nigeria took the 3rd position with a score of 60.17 per cent. Also, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies took 4th with scored 44.93 per cent
“Meanwhile, a total of one hundred and fifty-one institutions, representing 195 of the total institutions assessed, scored between 8.00-031 per cent,’’ he said.
The executive director said that in general there has been a downward slide from the improvement in performance of the institutions this year, compared to 2023.
He said that the highest score achieved in 2024 was higher than that of 2023 which stood at 72.26 per cent.
“Only the first two ranked institutions which are NOSDRA and NIPC had excellence 70-100 scores.’’
Yakubu said that the section also presented the ranking of all the 36 states, including the FCT, in terms of compliance with the TII variable.
According to him, Kaduna state secured the highest score at 51.42 per cent, thereby earning first position.
“The data revealed that Kano and Kogi states followed closely, achieving scores of 35.89 per cent and 32.84 per cent, thereby occupying the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
He said that the Local Government Areas (LGAs) presented a comprehensive portrayal, ranking in terms of compliance with the TII variables.
“A total of 231 LGAs were available for assessment; about 34 LGAs scored 17.78 per cent and were ranked 1st position respectively, while the lowest ranked scored 0.74 per cent.
Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), said that the thrust of the government was to ensure that through its fiscal instruments and policies a sustainable economy was attained.
The SGF was represented by Mr Adekunle Olusegun, Former, Permanent Secretary.
According to him, the government alone cannot achieve this feat; this is why we commended the initiatives by the center.
“The initiative is to conduct a TII assessment for MDAs and other relevant government agencies, this is commendable and a welcomed development toward entrenching accountability and good governance.
“Particularly, the six parameters employed by the center namely Website Integrity, Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement, Anti- Corruption, Citizens Engagement and Human Resources,’’ he said.
Dr Dasuki Arabi, Director-General of the (BPSR), said the index was assessed based on five variables which include, Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement, Control of Corruption, Citizens Engagement, Human Resources and Inclusion across public institutions.
“The initiative is in alignment with the eight priority areas on improving governance for effective service delivery of the renewed hope agenda of the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
“In line with the ratification of the Open Government Partnership initiative, (OGP) and UN Convention on Anti-Corruption (UNCAC) by the government, the need toward evolving ethics of transparency and accountability in the public sector has become imperative.
Arabi commended the centre for supporting the project and ensuring that the programme was successful. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)