By Mike ALADENIKA.
Stakeholders in Edo State, Nigeria have advocated for a speedy passage of the Domestication of the Freedom Of Information (FOI) Act so as to enable individuals have access to every information desired in the state.
At a roundtable meeting which took place at Edo State ANEEJ Secretariat, Benin City, Edo State between media practitioners and CSOs, organised by Gatefield Organization in collaboration with United State Agency for International Development (USAID, Palladium (Make it Possible) and Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE).
In his presentations which centered around an Overview of FOI Act, Duties and Obligations of Public Institutions Under the FOI Act, Mr. Innocent Idemharia who represented Gatefield Organization recalled several efforts made by stakeholders in the state aimed at prevailing on Edo State government to see the need for urgent and quick attention given to the bill before the Edo State House of Assembly.
He said that "during the first administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, stakeholders in Edo state went round some ministries in the state for their contributions to ensuring that urgent step was taken to domesticate FOI Law in Edo State.
In conclusion of his presentation, Mr. Edemharia articulated the right of citizens which include, "The FOI Act is a Citizens’ driven law and the citizens must take advantage of the Act to hold government accountable,
"Citizen should look around their environment, you must see something wrong,
"We must learn to ask relevant questions and hold our institutions accountable,
"The FOI Act is a ready tool for Social Audit and we must take advantage of itself properly implemented, the FOI Act can change the nation’s story of woes and entrench an era of good and All hands must be on deck!"
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