SERAP calls for FOI training for Directors in government institutions

Tribune Online
SERAP calls for FOI training for Directors in government institutions

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for the training of Directors of government institutions on the knowledge of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

The call was made by Professor Ayo Atsenuwa, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, during a presentation at a public hearing on Building the Capacity of Citizens on the use of the FOI Act as a Tool for Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Education Sector in Nigeria.

Atsenuwa during her presentation said that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria recognises the right to freedom of expression and that the FOI Act was enacted by the government in furtherance of that Section of the Constitution.

ALSO READ: We remain committed to safety of lives, property in Osun, says OPCI boss

“No public official has a right to argue against the FOI Act, there should be training for directors in government institutions and a debriefing.

“A debriefing is necessary because most of them were brought up on a diet of official secrets.

“Now any person can request for information under the FOI Act, such application for information can be written or oral.

“There is now a paradigm shift, those who want to keep information must now show cause why they wanted to withhold information,” She said.

The professor said that the FOI Act is predicated on the availability of timely access to accurate non-prejudicial information from authentic sources which is critical to citizen participation in governance.

Atsenuwa said that government has a duty to ensure press freedom and assure the citizenry of access to information held by government officials and institutions.

She, however, noted that information may be refused if it will be injurious, affect the public interest or interfere with law enforcement proceedings.

Also speaking, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, Executive Director of SERAP said that the aim of the public hearing was to bring together citizens who are affected by the poor delivery of public services particularly in the education sector in Nigeria.

“The public hearing also aims to encourage and sensitise the citizens on how they can deploy the FOI Act as a tool for promoting transparency and accountability in the education sector.

“It is also to encourage them to participate in the fight against corruption in the sector.

“The complaints received at the public hearing as well as the conclusions and recommendations will be sent to anti-corruption agencies and other appropriate agencies and authorities,” Mumuni said.

SERAP calls for FOI training for Directors in government institutions
Tribune Online