FG marks 12 years of implementing FOI Act

 

 

State and Non state actors of the Freedom of Information Act.

The Federal Government has emphasised the need for the public to have unfettered access to government records and information through Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

The Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jedy-Agba stated this in Abuja, at the commemoration of twelve years of implementing the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 in Nigeria.

Represented by Director, Solicitor Department in the Ministry, Mrs Gladys Odegbaro, the Permanent Secretary noted that only 90 MDAs had submitted their annual report.

She said that the Freedom of Information Act 2011, imposed enormous responsibilities on the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, noting that promoting transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business would not be achieved without the support of the MDAs.

” The AGF in compliance to Section 29(7）of FOI Act submits to the national assembly an annual report on or before April 1st of each year. I encourage public institutions who are not compliant with the submission of their annual reports to begin to comply, ” she said.

A Non -state Actor from Right to Know, Mrs Ene Nwankpa called for prompt and sustainable implementation of the Act.

Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Peter Akper advocated strong political will on the part of government to allow citizens access to information as prescribed by the law.