
On Monday, the Presidency introduced its Citizens’ Delivery Tracker, offering a streamlined channel for citizens to provide feedback to the government regarding the eight priority areas outlined by the Bola Tinubu administration.
Hadiza Bala-Usman, the President’s Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, revealed this during the Go-Live event of the CDT in Abuja.
The launch of the Citizens’ Delivery Tracker underscores the government’s commitment to fostering transparency, responsiveness, and citizen participation in governance. By providing a structured mechanism for citizens to offer feedback on government projects and programs, the CDT aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and the public, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of citizens are effectively addressed and integrated into policy formulation and implementation processes.
At the heart of the Citizens’ Delivery Tracker are the eight priority areas identified by the Bola Tinubu administration, which serve as focal points for government action and intervention. These priority areas encompass a wide range of issues critical to the socio-economic development and well-being of Nigerians, including infrastructure development, healthcare, education, job creation, security, agriculture, power supply, and anti-corruption efforts. By soliciting feedback on initiatives related to these priority areas, the CDT seeks to gauge the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of government interventions, ultimately enhancing accountability and performance.
The launch event of the Citizens’ Delivery Tracker, held in Abuja, marked a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to harness technology for citizen engagement and governance. As Bala-Usman emphasized during the Go-Live event, the CDT represents a shift towards a more inclusive and participatory approach to governance, where citizens are empowered to play an active role in shaping policies and holding government accountable for its actions. Through the CDT platform, citizens can provide feedback in real-time, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions, address emerging challenges, and fine-tune interventions based on the needs and priorities of the people.
Bala-Usman said, “The platform will be available as an app for download in the next few months.”
She said Monday’s unveiling is the conclusion of a months-long process since President Tinubu announced plans for ministerial assessment at the Cabinet Retreat for ministers and heads of government agencies last November.
The eight priority areas are: Reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth, strengthen national security for peace and prosperity, boost agriculture to achieve food security, and unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development.
Others are to enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth, focus on education, health, and social investment as essential pillars of development, accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing & innovation and Improve governance for effective service delivery.
In an interview last October, Bala-Usman revealed that the Federal Government would prioritise citizen engagement to ensure that Nigerians are part of the ministerial assessment.
“We’re going to deploy an application, a software where citizens are able to report back on project-based deliverables that the federal government has committed to doing within the period to 2024,” she explained.
As the Citizens’ Delivery Tracker enters its operational phase, it is imperative that the government remains committed to ensuring the effectiveness, integrity, and sustainability of the platform. This includes robust mechanisms for data protection, privacy, and security, as well as ongoing efforts to promote awareness, accessibility, and inclusivity among citizens. By fostering a culture of openness, dialogue, and responsiveness, the CDT has the potential to serve as a catalyst for transformative governance, empowering citizens to actively participate in shaping the future of their country.
The launch of the Citizens’ Delivery Tracker represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards inclusive and accountable governance. By providing citizens with a platform to voice their feedback, concerns, and suggestions on government initiatives, the CDT aims to strengthen the bond between government and the governed, foster transparency and accountability, and drive positive change at the grassroots level. As citizens embrace this opportunity to engage with their government, the CDT holds the promise of a more responsive, inclusive, and prosperous future for Nigeria.