N2N partners CSOs, agencies on FOI Act
Ben ADOGA:
Neighbour To Neighbour, N2N, has concluded plans to partner some civil society organizations and relevant agencies to sensitise Nigerians on the application of the Freedom of Information, FOI, Act.
In its weekly brainstorming session, the group resolved to partner with other groups so as to deliver on good governance.
It has also outlined strategies to organize town hall meetings on the FOI Act to empower communities to engage their political leaders and demand for accountability.
N2N is also intends to establish an online Whistle Blowers platform on the FOI Act so that the public can engage in social discourse and even report cases of violation of the Act on line.
Rima Shawulu Kwewum, Programme Director of N2N, who piloted the session noted that the Act had since been passed and that Nigerians were ignorant of the powers available to them under the Act.
He said that N2N would outline the implications of the Act on the public and what steps the public needed to take in engaging public officers under the FOI Act.
Kwewum also pointed out that the obvious weaknesses of the Act should be noted for future consideration.
Those weaknesses include the restriction of the Act to only the public sector rather than be expanded to include the private sector that its activities affect the public.
The discussants also noted that the jurisdiction of the Act should be made holistic while the fine of N500,000.00 imposed for a breach was a slap on the wrist of multinationals who can decide to offend and pay off such fines.
Earlier, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, who led the discourse highlighted the need for N2N to promote good governance through the sensitization of the people to utilize the FOI Act and raise their standard of living. He said as citizens, people and communities should be empowered to use the Act to demand information on contracts that affect their lives. He noted that the Act, if well applied, would open governance space and participation by the citizenry as well as encourage probity and accountability in public office.
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On behalf of Media Rights Agenda, I welcome this initiative, which I think is a bold and positive move to give momentum to the effective implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
However, I think it is important to correct an erroneous impression given in the story above wherein it was stated that “Those weaknesses (in the FOI Act) include the restriction of the Act to only the public sector rather than be expanded to include the private sector that its activities affect the public.”
It is clear from several provisions in the Act that its provisions also apply to private sector bodies and private entities gennerally (including private companies and other non-state entities) which utilize public funds, or provide public services or perform public functions. In support of this proposition, please see specifically, among other provisions of the Act, Sections 2(7) and 31. It is extremely important that this error be corrected in all your future publications and interactions in order that members of the public are not unwittingly misled or misinformed about the scope of the Act which could undermine the effective implementation of the Act.
Should you require any additional or further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda, Lagos.
Thanks for your response.
we are glad to know that you are ready to collaborate with us on the FOI Act.
we also appreciate your drawing our attention to sections 2(7) and 31. you cannot be faulted on the FOI as we recorgnise the wealth of knowledge of the Media Rights Agenda on this subject matter.
I have also commenced the process for n2n to talk with you in this regard . we will soon get in touch with you.
Thanks