The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that every citizen had the legal right to seek for an amendment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
Abbas said this at a two-day national workshop and book presentation organised by the House Committee on FOI in collaboration with Rebirth for Media Liberation and Development Initiative in Abuja.
The theme of the workshop is: “FOI and the burden of access for National Economic development: The legislative renewed hope agenda.’’
The FOI was enacted on May 28, 2011 to provide the rights of citizens to access or request for information which is in possession of any public official, agency or institution.
Abbas, who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Upstream Petroleum, Alhassan Doguwa, said that many Nigerians were either ignorant or have not accepted the implementation of FOI act by the institutions.
“Anybody can sponsor the amendment of an Act in the National Assembly, share your experiences with the relevant committees and it will be read on the floor of the House.
“When a law is signed, it does not mean that the law is perfect, there could be gray areas to review. Laws that come up at the end can compete with other laws made globally.
“Most of the laws we make have international or global implications,” he said.
Abbas further said that there was the need to enlighten the public on the content and intents of FOI laws.
He also said that citizens should express concern on any subject of the laws made by the National Assembly, adding that every Nigerian is a lawmaker.
“FOI Act is a strategic opportunity given to media, Nigerians, and Civil Society Organisation to be able to access vital and sensitive information.
“The laws cannot be implemented in isolation. All hands must be on deck to ensure the effectiveness of FOI Acts.,” Abbas said
According to him, the benefit of the training is to further enhance the knowledge of decision-makers, top management leaders, staff of local government and other institutions.
He said that it would help in discharging their duties as provided by the Act.
In his speech, the Gov. of Jigawa, Mallam Umar Namadi, said that the FOI Act had specified that people in the area of responsibility must surrender the information to those that demand.
“FOI will strengthen democracy, relationship between leaders and the led and it should be seen as a means to interact and see what is better for them.
“Jigawa state signed open government partnership with the believe that citizens should be involved,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman House Committee on FOI Act, Sa’idu Miga, said the Act played significant role in fostering national economic development.
“Let us also recognise that access to information allows citizens to participate in democratic processes, and is the bedrock of a progressive society.
“Our goal is to ensure that the legislative Renewed Hope agenda translates into tangible benefits for all Nigerians,’’ he said.
Earlier, the national chairman, Rebirth for Media Organisation, Bala Musa, urged the government to allow full participation of citizens in governance as well as hold political leaders accountable.
“Let us take this workshop as an opportunity to cross fertilise ideas, options and knowledge on how to advance national growth and development through the principles of open government and accountability,” he said.