Browsing: Freedom of Information Act

In a statement to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the FoI Bill into Law by former President Goodluck Jonathan on May 28, 2011, MRA said a study it conducted on the implementation of the Act over the last 10 years showed that it had yielded a treasure trove of information for scores of citizens, civil society organizations, journalists and media organizations, as well as other groups within the society who, as a result, now know more about various actions and policies of governments at federal and state levels.

Among others, the FOI request included the publication of the budgetary appropriations made by the National Assembly to the Niger Delta Development Commission from 2010 to 2020 and the names and designation of members of the National Assembly who have been awarded contracts by the NDDC or who have otherwise benefitted in any manner howsoever from the budgetary funds of the Commission from 2010 to 2020.

The suit arose from a Freedom of Information request made by MRA in November 2016 to the Ministry, asking for details and copies of plans put in place by the institution to provide the Araromi Zion Estate located in Akiode Area of Ojodu Local Council Development Area with health care services

In his paper titled: “FOI Act and the Burden of Obscurity in Nigeria,” the Chairman, Board of Governors of the Freedom of Information Coalition in Nigeria, Walter Duru, argued that despite some identified gaps in the law, the FOI Act is too good a legislation to slide into obscurity. Duru assured participants that the FOI Coalition will stand by any public office holder harassed or victimized by their employers on FOI related issues

While acknowledging the importance of the law as a legislation that will open up the vista of governance in Nigeria, Jeyifo wondered whether the law had not come at a time when there was little or no secrecy in the affairs of public officials and their attitude in the public sphere