Anambra Govt Pledges to Provide Citizens Realtime Access to Projects, Programmes

By Praise Chinecherem

Anambra State government on Thursday launched the Solution Lens Platform, a new tech-driven platform designed to promote transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.

The launch is being powered through Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Ministry of Information, and ICT Agency is expected to allow citizens to track progress of government projects across sectors.

Speaking during the event, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Chiamaka Nnake described the project as one of the most significant governance innovations in the State’s history.

She said the platform offered people of the state opportunity not just to hold the government accountable, but provides citizens with real-time access to information on government projects and programs, from conception to implementation.

She said, “It is a privilege to address you this morning as we unveil one of the most significant governance innovations in Anambra State’s history: the Solution Lens platform.
“We gather here not merely to launch a digital citizens’ engagement portal but to reaffirm our commitment to a deeper ideology: that governance must be transparent, inclusive, and accountable to the very people it serves.

“When we set out with the Solution Agenda, Mr. Governor gave us a clear charge, to rethink governance in a way that is open, responsive, and citizen driven.

“He promised Ndi Anambra that he would devote every minute of his time to work with and mobilize all critical stakeholders to make Anambra proud.

“This platform is a major step in fulfilling that promise.The journey to today’s launch is a profound policy realignment, a shift toward open government as both a value system and a performance strategy.

“At the heart of the Solution Agenda is the belief that public trust is not automatic, it must be earned through deliberate, visible, and verifiable action.

“Solution Lens is our response to that imperative. It is a digital platform but more importantly, it is a democratic instrument. It invites Ndi Anambra not only to observe but to engage. Not only to question but to co-create.

“It empowers Ndi Anambra to hold the Solution Team accountable. It provides citizens with real-time access to information on government projects and programs, from conception to implementation.

“Our vision is clear: to build a livable, prosperous, and smart mega-city and we have deliberately embedded open governance into all our policy frameworks, strengthened our planning and budget cycles, and established critical feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) between government and Ndi Anambra.

“Today’s launch is both a continuation and an acceleration of that journey. Let me state at this point that this is not the finish line, we have only just started.

“Officers from various MDAs have undergone rigorous training to ensure that the platform is optimized and that Ndi Anambra’s comments and concerns are addressed in a timely and meaningful way.

“While we have formal GRM systems in place, I have also made my personal contact available in strategic locations for escalation, because leadership must remain accessible and accountable.

“As we move forward, Solution Lens will serve as a data hub for planners and investors, a guarantee to our partners who seek transparency, and a reaffirmation to Ndi Anambra that Governor Soludo believes in their ingenuity and is committed to building the future with them and not for them.

“This aligns seamlessly with our commitments under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), the People’s Manifesto, and our vision of building a livable and smart mega city.”

The commissioner appreciated the Governor for his visionary leadership and his insistence on an evolving public service, just as she commended Ministry of Information and ICT Agency for their dedication and support.

“I also commend our non-state actors for their consistent engagement, and our development partners for their unwavering support.

“As we launch this platform today, I urge everyone to interrogate it, use it, share it, and then embrace it. Together, we can make governance smarter, more transparent, and more responsive,” she added.

Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor noted that the initiative was in line with Soludo administration’s mantra: “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere,

He said the platform would only be successful with effective engagement of the citizenry.

Managing Director, ICT Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata said the platform was developed so to enable the citizens people keep track of government projects and programmes within their localities.

“The idea behind the initiative is to promote responsive governance that promotes accountability and inclusivity.

“The citizens, however have a major role to engage the government with their feedbacks on the projects going.

“The feedbacks will not only ensure government remains responsive to their plight, but that the contractors handling the projects are kept on their toes,” he stated.

Auditor General for the state, Akosa Okocha described the platform as laudable and creative governance-people interface that would ensure information from the public attracted government attention.

He commended the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s government, especially Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other parties for the initiative, assuring support of his office, in view of its critical role in open governance partnership.

He said, “Audit plays a critical role especially when it comes to open governance partnership that involves government and the people.

“Whatever activities government is engaged in involves financing and the citizens will like to know how their funds being held on trust for them is being utilized.

“At the end of each financial year, the office of Accountant General forwards to my office the financial statements which I’ll go through to ensure funds were allocated to appropriate MDAs who in turn utilize them to satisfy the people’s desires as captured in the annual budget.

“My office will also provide a veritable platform for the citizenry to view government activities and ensure they align with the finance.

“With the Solution lens, the citizens will key in and where there are breaches, will observe and forward to us for clarification and relevant agencies notified to do the needful.

“The Solution lens is a laudable, creative governance-people interface that will ensure that information from the public attract government attention.

“This process will ensure sustainability even after the lifespan of this administration because government will know what the people want, its achievements and areas of improvement.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in the State, Prince Chris Azo, said the platform aligns with the principles of OGP 2.0, especially in giving citizens active voice in democratic governance.

He praised the government for adopting global standards in transparency and citizen participation.

“This platform now gives people the opportunity to engage, report, and provide feedback from anywhere,” he said.