After years in the making, FOI bill finally gets passed.
Article | 
The House of Representatives on Thursday have passed the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill.
The 34 clause bill seeks to provide a right of access to public information or record kept by governments or public institution or private bodies carrying out public functions for citizens and non-citizens of the country.
It also provides for the protection of public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and protection of personal privacy.
The Bill is intended to increase the availability of public records and information to citizens of the country in order to participate more effectively in the making and administration of laws and policies, and to promote accountability of public affairs.
The Bill was passed in 2004 by the two chambers of the National Assembly and forwarded to President Olusegun Obasanjo who refused to sign it.
Mr Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information and Communication, had at his ministry's budget defence appealed to the National Assembly to pass the bill.
He said that the passage of the Bill would hold the three arms of government and some officials in public domain to be accountable and transparent.
The Bill will be sent to the Senate for concurrence and forwarded to President Goodluck Jonathan who is expected to sign it into law.
In a statement, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh (PDP-Akwa Ibom), the Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the Bill would be beneficial to the legislature. He said that the passage should not be abused as it had opened the floodgate for accountability. He blamed the delay in its passage on the need to build consensus and understanding among stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority has passed through second reading.
This bill seeks to build a savings base for future generations, enhance development of infrastructure and assist fiscal stability in certain circumstances. The motion was raised by Mr. Tunde Akogun (PDP-Edo), the House leader, who said that the bill would enhance the economic well-being of Nigerians.
Mr. John Enoh (PDP-Cross River), Chairman, Committee on Finance, said that the bill when passed into law would reduce the load on the excess crude account.
Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom), who opposed the bill, said it would be wrong for the Federal Government to make it compulsory for state and local governments to contribute to the fund. Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta) claimed that the House would be subscribing to illegality if it went ahead to pass it.
The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, National planning and Justice for further legislative input.
The 34 clause bill seeks to provide a right of access to public information or record kept by governments or public institution or private bodies carrying out public functions for citizens and non-citizens of the country.
It also provides for the protection of public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and protection of personal privacy.
The Bill is intended to increase the availability of public records and information to citizens of the country in order to participate more effectively in the making and administration of laws and policies, and to promote accountability of public affairs.
The Bill was passed in 2004 by the two chambers of the National Assembly and forwarded to President Olusegun Obasanjo who refused to sign it.
Mr Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information and Communication, had at his ministry's budget defence appealed to the National Assembly to pass the bill.
He said that the passage of the Bill would hold the three arms of government and some officials in public domain to be accountable and transparent.
The Bill will be sent to the Senate for concurrence and forwarded to President Goodluck Jonathan who is expected to sign it into law.
In a statement, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh (PDP-Akwa Ibom), the Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said the Bill would be beneficial to the legislature. He said that the passage should not be abused as it had opened the floodgate for accountability. He blamed the delay in its passage on the need to build consensus and understanding among stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority has passed through second reading.
This bill seeks to build a savings base for future generations, enhance development of infrastructure and assist fiscal stability in certain circumstances. The motion was raised by Mr. Tunde Akogun (PDP-Edo), the House leader, who said that the bill would enhance the economic well-being of Nigerians.
Mr. John Enoh (PDP-Cross River), Chairman, Committee on Finance, said that the bill when passed into law would reduce the load on the excess crude account.
Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom), who opposed the bill, said it would be wrong for the Federal Government to make it compulsory for state and local governments to contribute to the fund. Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta) claimed that the House would be subscribing to illegality if it went ahead to pass it.
The bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, National planning and Justice for further legislative input.
0 comments:
Post a Comment