Civil Society, Citizens Laud Kaduna Infrastructure Disclosure Portal, Demand Timely Data, Sustainability

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

Civil society organisations and community champions have commended the launch and features of the Kaduna State Infrastructure Disclosure Portal, describing it as a critical tool for promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in public infrastructure projects.

The commendation was made during a capacity-building workshop organised by the CoST Infrastructure Transparency Initiative International Secretariat, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC) and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA). 

The workshop was designed to equip civil society and community stakeholders with the skills to use the portal for monitoring infrastructure contracts and projects across the state.

Speaking at the end of the workshop, Yusuf Goje, the State Team Lead for Kaduna Local Government Accountability Mechanism (KADLAGAM) noted that the portal holds great promise, especially if government commits to uploading key documents such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, Bills of Quantity, and contractual documents.

“These are the kinds of information civil society has been demanding for years. Their timely availability on the portal would mark a major step forward for transparency and public accountability,” Goje said.

He added that while the portal is not yet fully operational, its current features are impressive. 

He recommended further integration with government data systems, particularly the “Eyes and Ears” components of the Planning and Budget Commission, to allow for tracking not just projects but also their impact on citizens.

Goje also stressed the importance of a responsive feedback mechanism. 

“When citizens provide feedback, there must be timely government action. That’s how trust is built, and that’s how we increase the portal’s usage by the public.”

Echoing these views, Stephen Waya, Co-chair of the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS) Technical Working Group, described the portal as a “fantastic” initiative that could transform how citizens engage with government.

“MDAs will now be compelled to publish the real data that people have been yearning for, but our biggest concern is sustainability. We’ve seen great initiatives collapse once the administration changes. This one must outlive any political cycle,” Waya said.

Waya called for institutional safeguards that will ensure the portal remains active and useful in the long term. “Infrastructure development is critical. But it will only succeed when citizens are empowered to engage and demand results,” he added.

The Kaduna Infrastructure Disclosure Portal is part of the state’s commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and aims to improve infrastructure delivery through open contracting practices.

Participants at the workshop agreed that the portal represents a bold step in deepening transparency and inclusivity in governance, but emphasized that its success will depend on political will, sustained funding, and active citizen participation.