Ondo State ranks third in transparency and public fund management, Anti-Graft center reports

Ondo State has achieved the remarkable position of being ranked third among Nigeria’s 36 states in terms of transparency and accountability in public fund management.

In addition to Ondo, other states that have excelled in the implementation of public policies, as highlighted in the report by the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW), include Ekiti, Kaduna, Lagos, and Gombe.

CeFTIW, a non-governmental organization based in Abuja, collaborated with the MacArthur Foundation to develop its ranking index. This index considered various factors such as accessibility, open budgeting, public procurement, human resources, anti-corruption measures, and citizen engagement to arrive at these ratings.

In response to this positive development, Ademola Olateju-Ademola, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ondo, expressed her delight at the state’s ranking in the report.

She noted that this achievement is a testament to the structured approach provided by the leadership of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. According to her, substantial progress is not achieved overnight but rather through consistent efforts and dedication.

Ms. Olateju-Ademola highlighted the significance of having Governor Akeredolu, a leader who values institutions as a critical driving force for development, at the helm of the state. She emphasized that Ondo’s continuous climb in the transparency and accountability rankings reflects a deep understanding of the foundational principles necessary for sustainable development. Transparency, she added, plays a crucial role in achieving better project cost estimates and improved service delivery.