In this first phase of the Open Contract Reporting project, OCRP, which spanned three years, the Centre worked with selected journalists from across newsrooms at the federal level to strengthen investigative and data-driven journalism as tools for reducing corruption and enhancing accountability in the public sector. Over 100 journalists selected on the project participated in the investigative and data journalism training, internship and mentoring programme, with many of them producing standard investigative reports. The OCR project served as an eye-opener to many malfeasance and infractions in the public sector during this phase. It further propelled the need for government reforms in the various Ministries, Departments, agencies, and MDAs.

The OCR project served as an eye-opener to many malfeasance and infractions in the public sector during this phase. It further propelled the need for government reforms in the various Ministries, Departments, agencies, and MDAs.