Ambode outshines others on CGPI ranking

Lagos, Africa’s seventh largest economy, outperformed other states in 2016’s CIAPS Governors Performance Index (CGPI), holding strong at top spot with 74 percent.

In its report, the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) measured the performance of the 36 governors in Nigeria in the last one year, as well undertook a comparative analysis of the states.

Edo and Cross River states were ranked second and third with 70 percent and 68 percent, respectively. Adamawa, this year’s worst performing state, hobbled off with 39 percent.

Five indices, accounting for 20 marks each, were used in compiling the report this year, and they include salary payments, security, education, health and infrastructure, as well as business opportunities and job creation.

“We found that a good number of states have a backlog of unpaid salaries, and this weighed against them,” Anthony Kila, a director at CIAPS, said in an interview with BusinessDay.

“Over the past year, CGPI results show that Kaduna State performed more than any other state to create jobs and encourage business investments. However, non-payment of salaries and security challenges weighed adversely against the state,” Kila said.

Some analysts held their reservations on the parameters used in compiling the report.

“Lagos emerging first isn’t a surprise to me. However, I disagree with the parameters used in compiling the report,” Taiwo Oyedele, partner and head of tax and regulatory services, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC), said, saying, “I expected more indices central to the innovation in place to weather the storm of an intensifying unfavourable economic climate.”

Nigeria’s economic hub did well in all but one index, business opportunity and job creation.

“Lagos has good communication techniques and managed to stay true to promises made in their manifesto. It scored relatively higher than other states on security, salary payments, infrastructure and education,” said Kila.

Low scores on key indices submerged Adamawa, while non-salary payments pulled Imo State down despite scoring high on education. Education at all levels is free in Imo, though it has drawn wide criticisms on the policy’s sustainability.

Nigeria’s industrial hub, Ogun State scored 55 percent, as its salary payment record was one of the worst, the report noted.

“Ogun has faltered in gratuity payment since 2012. However, it did well, especially in education,” said Olumuyiwa Ayoola, the CPGI coordinator.

The performance index is a monthly performance review of what Governors across the country are doing in their offices and it is conducted by the Lagos based Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS).

“The variables used as indexes for performance were mathematically calculated. The action of each state governor was monitored and studied from their first day in office and the findings were graded and compared to that of fellow governors across the country,” Ayoola noted.

The governors of Adamawa and Bayelsa states continue to remain at the bottom of the list as all finished in the bottom places with not more than a score of 39 percent.

Commenting on the CGPI report, Kila said the “CGPI is a useful tool for democracy and good governance as it allows government to be objectively measured against their peers and compels all in power to be mindful of accountability.”

The variables used for measuring Governors performance this month after one year in office factors the limited powers of State Governors as well as what they can do.

Kila further explained that he hopes that the CGPI monthly reports will allow governors to sit up, improve their performances during their tenure and even enter into healthy competition between themselves for the benefit of their states and the country as a whole. He advised that governors rated as poor to roll up their sleeves and improve governance rather than enter into a media war or words with observers.