Policy Alert Calls for Openness in Akwa Ibom’s ARISE Agenda
By Ekemini Simon
A civil society organization, Policy Alert, has called on the Government of Akwa Ibom State to prioritize fiscal and policy transparency in implementing the ARISE Agenda, the State’s development blueprint.
The organization which works to promote economic and ecological justice in West Africa made the call at the two-year review of the ARISE Agenda held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.
Policy Alert commended the government for undertaking an independent mid-term evaluation of the blueprint and creating a public platform to share findings.
According to Tijah Bolton-Akpan, Executive Director of Policy Alert, “This is a timely opportunity to reflect on the State’s development trajectory and conduct an honest self-appraisal.”
The organisation noted that the ARISE Agenda has significant potential to transform Akwa Ibom State, but that potential can only be fully realized when anchored in transparency, participation, and accountability.
Policy Alert expressed concern that the draft ARISE Agenda, developed with citizen input during the 2023 Akwa Ibom Dialogue, has still not been formally published. “Without public access to the document, citizens cannot effectively track performance or provide informed feedback,” the organization stated.
The group asked the government to publish the ARISE Agenda on its website and institutionalise its review as an annual activity.
Policy Alert also decried a sharp decline in fiscal openness, pointing to budget implementation reports now reduced to three-page summaries without capital expenditure details.
“International investors and development partners need to see credible fiscal data. Without it, the ARISE Agenda will struggle to attract the financing it needs,” Policy Alert warned.
The organization welcomed the State Bureau of Statistics’ data-driven approach but noted that the metrics and methodology used for the evaluation have not been disclosed, falling short of both international quality standards and Nigeria’s National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy.
Policy Alert called for public involvement in the evaluation process to enable third-party or “shadow” reporting that can highlight gaps and strengthen accountability.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Akwa Ibom State Government and other stakeholders to ensure the ARISE Agenda delivers on its promise for inclusive and sustainable development.
The ARISE Agenda is a development blueprint focused on Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructural Maintenance and Advancement, Security Management, and Educational Advancement. The Agenda was launched during a four-day Akwa Ibom Dialogue in 2023 that brought together citizens and experts to make inputs into the administration’s medium-term policy direction.