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The Freedom of Information, (FOI)
Act is universal in nature. It empowers people to use it in obtaining
information from any government agency, ministry or parastatal.
In
Nigeria, the Act was eventually signed into law on May 28, 2011, by former
president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.
Those who think the FOI Act is
for journalists alone are not correct. It is for everyone, regardless of his or
her profession or vocation.
Therefore,
administrators, business persons, artisans, writers, farmers, job seekers,
activists, students, women, men, etc, can use it to legally obtain information
from any government agency, anywhere in the world.
The FOI
Act is about openness, accountability, transparency, sincerity and truthfulness
in governance.
The anti-corruption war of the
Nigerian government is on. President Muhammed Buhari is determined to recover
looted funds from past corrupt leaders.
I am not trying to be unpatriotic
here. But, I do know as a Nigerian that corruption in my beloved country is
endemic.
Therefore, if the anti-corruption
move of the president is successful, poor and ordinary persons in Nigeria, who
are presently living below $1 a day will benefit. Social amenities could be
provided by government.
There are more than 800
government agencies, parastatals and ministries, operating in our country.
Regrettably, most of these agencies are still operating in secrecy.
Most of them do not have a staff
designated as FOI officer, or units or sections that assist people in obtaining
information or records on their operations.
For
those interested in obtaining information or records on procurement,
accountability, or tracking revenues and income profiles, it has been quite
hectic and frustrating.
Most websites of government
agencies in Nigeria have stall or outdated information or records. They are
technically dead, so to say.
This is where Buhari should come
in and encourage these agencies to open up on their information, records and
operations to any interested person or group.
The
anti-corruption war could be easily won if a peasant farmer in a remote village
in Akwa Ibom state, south-east Nigeria for instance, is able to track
government expenditures on farmers in the entire state, with little or no
stress.
Nigerian government has told the
public that it has recovered billions in local and foreign currencies,
allegedly stolen by some past corrupt politicians. It is difficult to track
monies recovered so far.
Every month, the office of the
accountant-general of the federation publishes money released to all the 36
states from the federation account in Nigeria.
But, this does not translate to
good roads, steady power supply, enough schools, hospitals and other social
amenities to citizens at the grassroots.
Emmanuel Udom is editor of http://www.vicnuel.blogspot.com.ng. He is a
teacher, journalist, researcher, private investigator. Udom is also senior
correspondent with http://www.independentnig.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Emmanuel_Udom/2301912
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9476276
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