OPEN DATA: Tool to Improve Transparency, Accountability and Citizens participation in Governance
Data is quickly becoming a key part of the infrastructures in today’s digital world. However there are still important challenges to be addressed for developing countries to fully benefit from the promises of open data. The issue of open data and information transparency for government in general, especially at the local level needs urgent attention. The idea of a smart city relies on data and data collection process can be used to simplify and improve lives as well as manage public services more efficiently.
Before now, data was often buried in filing cabinets or city halls and were only disclosed after Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, but today open data models have immensely aided governments and other organisations around the globe to be more proactive with disclosure of information.
The most important aspects of Open Data are that, it can be and has been used for initiatives ranging from scientific research and discovery to product development. It also creates space for improved health, education and human services, and demonstrates the impact assessment of publicly funded programs. On the flip side, it is very useful for policy makers to access the efficacy of targeted policies and boost sustainable development in all spheres.
Open data creates space for cross sectoral sharing of data which provides an overview of unnecessary spending, that could help curb corruption in the public sector and promote transparency, accountability and trust regarding citizens expectations from government towards the provision of welfare services. The ability of the government to proactively put out useful information will create a level playground between Citizen’s and the government.
Economically, open data avails opportunities for easier access to information, content and knowledge which in turn contributes to development of innovative ideas and new models of products and services.
One of the major characteristics of Open data is ensuring that data is coherent. This promotes the ease of use and encourages citizens to use it to make better and informed decisions.
The question now is, “Does open data, as practiced by government genuinely serve the public interest, or are we being beguiled by media spin or political PR?” Though progress is being made in this regard, comparatively little is being done at the community level to promote the use of public data and this entails advocacy and training to enable communities apply open data models in solving problems in health, education and businesses.
In Nigeria, the context of Open Data is spreading like wildfire with the help of some organisations:
- The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) launched NOCOPO (Nigeria Open Contracting Portal) to fulfill the Open Government Partnership (OGP) that Nigeria is signed to.
- The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) also developed an open contracting platform called Budeshi, which links budget and procurement data to public services using the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS).
- BudgIT via the Tracka.ng platform engage active citizens who are interested in monitoring budgets and public projects in their communities.
- Premium Times Center for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) also launched two sites, Dubawa and Udeme. UDEME which means “my share” is a platform designed to hold Nigerian government accountable for funds released for capital projects, while DUBAWA is an open source verification and fact checking platform, developed and designed to sift through the barrage of information and stream out the truth.
Making public data more accessible is an important goal that is yet largely untapped because it avails enormous potential to increase civic engagement.
Government entities and stakeholders need to invest in relevant resources to improve universal access to vital information to citizens with the awareness of hidden challenges of equity, inclusion and security in a way that the impact is felt at the grassroot level.
