NOA: How To Foster Even Development Through Freedom of Information
Freedom of Information is a fundamental human right and is the touchstone for all freedoms. United Nation General Assembly, 1964. On this premise the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos Directorate on Wednesday the 9th of June, 2021 held a sensitization campaign on promoting transparency, accountability and stewardship in governance through the understanding and application of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 with members of Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council (LSCDAC) at the Conference Room of Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alausa, Ikeja.
Addressing about 50 chairmen of the Council, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos Directorate, Mr. Waheed Ishola said that the main reason for the visit was to deepen transparency, accountability and stewardship in governance through the understanding and application of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. He noted that citizens have rights to access information records held by public institutions in all arms of government and private institutions utilizing public funds, performing public functions or providing public services and that requests for such information or records must be prompt. He further explained that failure to proactively disclose information and records may be:
– Actionable in Court of Law
– Is categorized as wrongful denial of information,
– Attracts a fine of N500,000.00,
– Falsification, alteration, attracts one year imprisonment without option of fine
He urged the Leaders who are great influencers within their various communities to do more in utilizing the FOIA, 2011 because it would promote transparency and accountability in the governance process; open up the governance space and enhance citizens participation in the government process; ensure system integrity, encourage good record keeping, dispel rumour peddling and reportage of half-truths and ensure efficiency of time and monotony of replies. The Director used the occasion to highlight the various sections of the act and appealed to the Community Leaders to, as a matter of duty, communicate the message to their CDA’s and CDCs on the need to access information and records under the FOIA, because it’s their right and not a privilege and that even though there is no absolute freedom in seeking information, citizens’ right to know is the pivot around which genuine democratic practice revolves.
In his response on behalf of Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council (LSCDAC), the chairman, Alhaji Azeez A. Amusat commended the Agency for its sensitization and enlightenment programmes in the State. He promised the council’s support and collaboration in working with the Agency for a more robust and massive sensitization at the grassroot. High-point of the event was the robust questions and answers time which enabled participants to air their minds and fully understand the Act.
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