SREN Advocates NGOs Synergy for Accountability in Governance, Partners CHRAN
The Social Reorientation and Empowerment Network (SREN), a non-governmental organisation, has called for synergy among non-governmental organisations to demand accountability and promote transparency in governance and public administration in Nigeria.
The body, through its President, Dr. Daniel Evans Eshett, made the call when he led his team on a Courtesy Visit to the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) in Uyo recently.
Dr. Eshett emphasised that SREN recognized the critical importance of uniting forces to address Nigeria’s key socio-political challenges.
According to him, the collaboration between non-governmental organisations was needed in coordinating efforts to protect the rights of vulnerable groups and amplify their voices, empower communities through implementation of grassroots programmes, as well as promote electoral integrity.
He lauded the remarkable contributions of CHRAN to Nigeria’s democratic landscape, which Eshett noted had set unparalleled standard of civic leadership and accountability.
Responding, the Director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklin Isong, thanked the SREN for the visit, whose purpose was to seek partnership with the Center.
Otuekong Isong used the opportunity to call on the Chairmen of the 31 Local Government Councils in Akwa Ibom State to render account of their stewardship as they marked their first 100 days in office.
According to Otuekong Isong, the 31 council chairmen, elected on 5th October, 2024, were sworn-in on 7th October, 2024, were expected to make public the list of projects they executed so far in fulfillment of their campaign promises to the electorates.
He emphasised that the move was necessary in view of the huge monthly financial allocations released to the 31 local government councils by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) as a result of the financial autonomy granted the 774 local governments by the Supreme Court of Nigeria through the effort of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The CHRAN noted that Pastor Umo Eno, had presented to the public the list of projects that his administration has executed within the first 100 days in office, thus giving account of his stewardship in the State.
He also told the SREN delegation that the Center was open to partnership with credible civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) duly registered by law.
CHRAN Director charged officers and members of SREN to be above board in their conduct and activities and never to use the body as a vehicle to exploit the society. He stressed that where such abhorrent acts are observed, the Center would quickly terminate the partnership with them.
