Delight Chinedum
Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi has urged Nigerians to avail themselves of the instrument of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to appreciate government activities and hold them accountable.
Fagbemi stated this on Thursday in Awka at a Stakeholders meeting on the FOIA by Center for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Justice, Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Programme, (RoLAC), European Union (EU) and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).
The Minister, represented by Assistant Director/Head, FOI unit, Garuba Godwin said Nigerians through the Act have been empowered to access government information and records without being asked the reason for the usage.
He commended Anambra State for its continued use of the documents despite its lack of domestication which he said had enabled the citizens to be abreast with its activities.
“The Government of Nigeria is no longer interested in doing business in secrecy and through the FOIA have given the citizen of this great country power to access government information and records without being asked the reason for the usage.
“The Act also provides for people with disability to access government records. Access can be made orally to public institutions to access information.
“Aside of reactive response to FOIA request, public institutions are expected to proactive disclose their activities in the public space for free of access by the public.
“To ensure easy implementation of the Act, public institutions must ensure that they keep their records in such a way for easy access by any requester.
“Despite the fact that the Act guaranteed right to access to information, there are exemptions that you must comply with before releasing certain government information and records and also there are certain information that the Act does not apply to.”
Earlier, Executive Director, CTA, Engr Faith Nwadishi appealed to Anambra State government to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) with the collaboration of the Legislature in the state.
She said the Act not only enabled citizens, including women, the youth and PWDs to hold governments and institutions accountable for their actions, but allowed them to track budgets, monitor programmes, and expose corruption where and when they occured.
According to her, the meeting offered participants opportunity to explore essential role of the Act in promoting the rights of women, youth, People Living with Disabilities, and other Nigerians that strive for equity and inclusion in the fight against corruption.
“This event is one among the CTA activities that focuses on promoting transparency and accountability in governance, highlighting the efforts of the Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative (SAGNI) in the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra and Edo States through FOI.
“It is important to note that corruption is almost becoming a pandemic, pervasive and a threat to our collective existence as a people. It has also become a threat to democratic governance, a threat to economic development, and a threat to social justice.
“We need not be reminded that corruption undermines the rule of law, “ perpetuates inequality, and disproportionately affects women and marginalized communities,” including you and I .
“Nevertheless, our gathering today is not to lament and see all of us here including the women, the youth and PWDs as victims of corruption but as amazons, resilient and powerful change agents.
“All we need are information, access to resources, and opportunities to be able to demonstrate the transformative role that promotes accountability, transparency and good governance.
“We are are glad with the enactment of The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)2011 which should have become a critical tool in the fight against corruption, but due to lack of information, lack of awareness and most times deliberate act of officials to deny citizens access to information when it is requested does not appear to be playing this role as it ought to be by, providing citizens with the right to access information.
“FOIA enables citizens including women, the youth PWDs and “ We the People” to hold governments and institutions accountable for their actions. It allows us to track budgets, monitor programmes, and expose corruption where and when they occur.
“As stated earlier, despite the potential of FOIA, women, many vulnerable groups and citizens often face significant barriers in accessing information that will aid personal and collective development in an opaque dominated space that is spiced with bureaucracy.
“This justifies the importance of this stakeholders meeting where we have come together to share experiences, build knowledge, and develop strategies for leveraging FOIA to promote citizen’s rights, equity, and inclusion.”
Anambra State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Prof Sylvia Ifemeje represented by Barr Ngozi Iwouno said the law passed in 2011 empowered citizenry to access records, documents and information from both government and private organizations, enabling participation in governance to ensure transparency.
“After application, the applicant must wait for seven working days to get requested information. Failure to do so, further action as stipulated in the act, including legal action can be taken,” she said.
Chairman, Anambra State Disability Rights Commission, Bar. Chuks Ezewuzie described the meeting as timely, saying it had further enlightened his members on their rights as Nigerian citizens.
“We now know we can enquire things that affect us. We can’t wait to sensitize our people to recognize this and pursue them vigorously,” he stressed.
Vice President, Southeast Zone, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Emma Ifesinachi said the media should be appreciated for packaging the Act, urging participants to maximize the documents for the use of themselves and society.