The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, has encouraged citizens to exercise their legal right to challenge any lapses in the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, as the law supports such actions.
Abbas said this at the FOI National workshop and book presentation organised by the Committee on FOI, House of representatives, National Assembly in collaboration with Rebirth for Media Liberation and Development Initiative in Abuja.
The FOI was enacted on May 28, 2011 to provide the rights of person to access or request information whether or not contained in any written form which is in custody or possession of any public officials, agency or institution.
The theme of the workshop was ‘FOI and the burden of access for National Economic development: The legislative renewed hope agenda’.
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Abbas who was represented by Chairman of the House Committee on Upstream Petroleum, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa said after the establishment of the FOI Act, there was low level of its knowledge, acceptance and implementation by the institution of governance.
The governor of Jigawa, Malam Umar Namadi said FOI specified that people in the area of responsibility must render information to those that demand, adding that citizens must be engaged in decision making as they have their mandate.
The Chairman, House Committee on FOI Act, Sa’idu Miga said the FOI Act plays significant role in fostering national economic development.
The National Chairman, Rebirth for Media Organisation, Engr. Bala Musa said there was need for government to be more open to the citizens to participate on how they are governed as well as hold political and appointed leaders accountable.
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