The Plateau government has implemented several initiatives to strengthen integrity, accountability, and transparency in its civil service.

Danjuma Damenkyap, the permanent secretary for general administration, office of the head of the civil service in the state, said this on Wednesday in Jos at the workshop organised to develop a framework for the implementation of the proposed integrity and accountability strategy for Plateau.

The workshop was organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, supported by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, which is funded by the European Union.

These initiatives, the permanent secretary said, include the launch of an e-governance platform and a digital performance scorecard system.

The government, he said, has also responded to Freedom of Information requests and has actively participated in international programmes on anti-corruption. 

He said that the workshop would enhance the capacity of the participants towards promoting efficiency in public service.

Mr Damenkyap insisted that the strategy would strengthen the commitment of the state and non-state actors towards good governance.

Mantim Dala, the state project coordinator of RoLAC in Plateau, decried that the lapses in accountability over the years had weakened governance systems.

He added that it had also affected service delivery across sectors such as health, education, housing, and infrastructure. He urged participants to seize the opportunity to contribute to the restoration of ethical standards in the state’s public institutions.

Comparing the past to present times, he noted that “in those days, education was nearly free, roads and healthcare were better because systems of accountability and checks were stronger, but the lack of transparency and accountability erodes good governance”.

Mr Dala emphasised that the project aligns with the Plateau Strategic Development Plan (2023–2027), which identifies public service reform as a key pillar for sustainable growth.

(NAN)