Justice Minister urges public officers to comply with FOI act

[MrVan]

Enugu— Minister of  Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke, yesterday restated the call on public officers to implement the Freedom of Information Act in line with the operational guidelines.

Adoke made the call at a four-day training for workers of the National Planning Commission on the implementation of the FOI.

Represented by Prof. Deji Adekunle, his Senior Special Assistant, Adoke said the guidelines on implementation would facilitate understanding and compliance by custodians of public records under the Act.

"There is the need for a strong internal mechanism within Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, for monitoring compliance and responding to FOI requests," he said.

Adoke also called for interaction and consultation among public institutions to enable them appreciate the importance of the Act.

On applicability in states, he said the office had met with attorneys general of states on the need for them to implement the FOI as it would enhance good governance in their respective states.

In a keynote address, the Minister of National Planning, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, said the training was in line with Section 13 of the Act, which required adequate training for officials on the right to access to information or records and effective implementation.

Represented by the Secretary of the commission, Mr Fidelis Ugbo, Usman urged the participants to take a critical look at the provisions of the Act to ensure effective implementation.

In a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Nkechi Ejele, said effective implementation of the Act would help in fighting corruption.

While commending the NPC and the UNDP for organising the training, Ejele said that all MDAs had set up committees on FOI as directed by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

In his remarks, the UNDP Project Director, Dr Mourtada Deme, stressed the importance of sensitising government institutions to supplying information based on request from individuals, civil societies and other groups.

Deme said that access to information was critical for national development, peace, security, and conflict resolution.

Vanguard Nigeria