Members of Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, media practitioners and other critical stakeholders in Imo State have called for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act in the state.
They said the implementation of the act would among other benefits enhance and guarantee good governance, accountability, transparency, stability and general well-being of the citizens.
The call is contained in a communique reached in one-day stakeholders meeting organised by a non-governmental feminist organization, Alliances for Africa, AfA held in Owerri, and availed to The Guardian, yesterday.
The participants urged the state government led by Sen. Hope Uzodimma and the state assembly to prioritize cum support effort that would allow citizens have access to non classified information, “or record in the custody of any public institution, or private institution utilizing public funds, performing public functions or providing public services.”
According to the stakeholders, “this is to create a healthy functioning society which would directly impact the quality of life of people residing in Nigeria including Imo State and foster an open and participatory system of governance where the government, public and private institutions contribute to and benefit from healthier, more transparent collaborative governance.”
The communique partly reads, “concerned that despite the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, Imo citizens including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are experiencing obstacles in exercising their right to access information, as guaranteed by international standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.
“Worried that, although the FOI Act is meant to enable public access to information and protect public records, there is a pervasive hesitancy among Ministries and government agencies in Imo State to provide information, fearing exposure of government program and policy failures.”
It continued, “There is a need for robust awareness creation about the existence and provisions of the FOI Act among the general public who have little or no information that such law exists in the state.
“The FOI Act is currently not implemented in Imo State and there are no sanctions and penalties for agencies failing to comply with its provisions in the State.”
“In conclusion, the current state of Imo State on the FOIA bills is appalling and its effective implementation of the FOIA in Imo State will put the state in positive limelight and for the advancement of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation which will lead to investment and development opportunities in Imo State.” It added.
