The implementation of the Freedom of information Act 2011 for the past 13 years has been described as both “challenging and work in progress.”
The Solicitor General of the Federation and permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, stated this in Abuja Friday at a ceremony marking 13 years of advocacy and implementation of the FoI Act.
The theme of this year’s anniversary is “Evaluating the Role of Freedom of Information Act and its Implementation Towards Building Strong Institutions for Good Governance.”
The permanent secretary cited the lack of a functioning record management system in public institutions, the lack of political will on the part of leaders to ensure the prompt release of information or records and the culture of secrecy in the government as big challenges.
She said, “The Act serves as a guide through which the public can access vital information or records from the government and when government officials refuse to share information with the public it makes citizens.
“It is undisputed that the essence of the Act is to guarantee the right of access to information held by government institutions as well as to deepen governance and government reforms by addressing corruption and improving the credibility of the country.
“Nonetheless, the implementation of the FOI Act in the last 13 years has come with a series of benefits and challenges.
“It is of great importance to commend the Courts on their prompt rulings on Fo1 matters which have deepened its implementation.”
Also speaking, the company secretary and legal adviser, Development Bank of Nigeria, Shofola Osho, lauded the FoI Unit for pushing through despite all odds, and stressed the need for more commitments and some review of the Act.
“For me, I think for a small team to have pushed through and done well in terms of implementations covering over 900 institutions in the last thirteen years, but I also think there should be a review just as open governance and accountability is also key,” he said.
In her remarks, the programme officer, Right to Know (R2K), Vicky Etim, noted that the annual FoI report had grown over the years, but that experiences still needed to be shared and challenges overcome.