Access to Information: Kaduna CSOs seeks proactive measure through FOI Act
http://www.newsportng.com.ng Civil Society Organizations, (CSOs) in Kaduna state have urged Kaduna state government to be proactive in the disclosure of information to her citizens.
The Civil Society State Action Plan Coach, for Open Government Partnership, (OGP) Mrs. Hadiza Umar made the call in Kaduna on Wednesday, during the stakeholder’s interactive meeting, organized by Transparency and Accountability in Totality Initiative, (TinT)
Speaking on the theme of event: “Consolidating Transparency in Kaduna State, Umar said Kaduna state is doing her best in the disclosure of information even though the freedom of Information Act (FOi) bill is not yet domesticated, meanwhile there are several laws that need to be put in place so that the state can experience drastic shift in all areas.
She noted that the former Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai tried his best during his tenure and the present administration also continue because of the sustained agenda, meanwhile they are soliciting and advocating for the state to be more open because there are still more that can be done.
In his remarks, the Deputy speaker, Kaduna state House of Assembly, Barrister Magaji Henry said all hands must be on deck for the FOi bill to see the light of the day.
He urged the CSOs to follow due process and re-initiate the bill if need be, so that they can look at it whenever it is being presented at the State House of Assembly.
“Rules are meant to be obeyed. All hands must be on deck those that supposed to make it happen.
“If there is need for the bill to go through the executive, let them go ahead and we look at it appropriately when it comes to the house. Of course we know that government succeeds government but we need to treat each case in accordance to it’s merit. So on that basis we will look at it, sit with the stakeholders and look at whatever it’s that required to be done and we get to the action.” He said.
Speaking with Journalists shortly after the event, the Project Officer, TinT, Musa Sulaiman said Kaduna state is already practicing the FOi Act because information is made available to citizens almost on daily basis through their various mediums.
Musa stressed that they are only advocating for the passage of the bill so that they can have a legal backup like it is in Imo and Ekiti states, respectively.
The project Officer also disclosed that his organisation has over the years supported the efforts of non-state and state actors in strengthening public transparency, accountability, effectiveness, and citizens’ engagement around public finance management which has improved service delivery in agriculture, basic education, healthcare among others
He added that TinT is being supported by Palladium through the USAID Strengthening Civil Society and Local Engagement (SCALE) project to advocate for enabling laws, policies, and regulations that expand the civic space for increased citizens-state collaboration.
Remarking also, Mr. Tara Jeremiah from planning and budget commission Kaduna state, OGP Point of Contact, said that Kaduna state government signed into OGP, an initiative to secure commitment for them to be open to take up commitment in the state’s action plan.
“So we pick access to information in our first action plan. We made progress but one outstanding components of that is the passage of the bill. We are looking forward to see how we can bring it back and that is why we are in this meeting today to think outside the box on the best approach to lobby and get members of the legislature to assist in passing the bill because it is good for Kaduna state.” Tara stressed.
