The Centre for Transparency Advocacy, in Collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice have called on citizens of the state to apply the use of Freedom of Information Act in accessing information relating to projects executed by government officials, agencies and private bodies.
The group made the call during A One Day Stakeholders Town Hall Meeting on ‘The Application of Freedom of Information (FOI) Act’ at Finotel, Awka, on Thursday 13th, March, 2025.
Speaking during the opening remark, Minister of Justice and Attorney General for the Federation, represented by Barr Garuba Godwin Assistant Director/Head FOI Unit, Ministry of Justice Abuja said the freedom of Information Act 2011 grants to citizens legally enforceable right to access roads, documents and information held by government or public institutions, agencies of Government and private bodies by government to perform public functions.
He stressed that since the signing into law of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in 2011 in Nigeria, the citizens have been empowered to participate in governance and hold public officials accountable having been guaranteed right demand access to information. “This marks a significant step towards promoting openness/transparency, accountability, good governance as well as citizens participation in the decision making process at all levels of governance in Nigeria”.
Earlier, CTA Executive Director, Engr Faith Nwadishi, in her opening remark said the town hall meeting was for stakeholders to discuss application of freedom of Information act to checkmate the actives of the government and call them to order when necessary. She added that CTA is poised to ensuring that information which are denied to followed up with legal backings to ensure proper accountability, and transparency are achieved.
Engr Nwadishi maintained that for an effective use of FOI, there should be improved mass enlightenment for public knowledge and understanding of FOIA beyond mere awareness, good record keeping and adoption of modern information management system, and domestication of FOIA in the various state of the Federation.
In his address, Chairman, Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ANSDRC), Dr Chukwuka Ezewuzie, emphasized that persons with special needs have been at the bare front of disadvantaged individuals that do not have access to proper information.
Dr Ezewuzie however, called on the State Ministry of Justice, to provided a committed legal recourse for PWDs in accordance with the Anambra State Disability Rights Law 2018, provision of Pro bono lawyers to defend and protect the rights of PWDs who are denied information from government and ensuring they are empowered to seek redress in court if their rights are infringed upon.
Adding, Vice President, Southeast, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Emma Ifesinachi speaking during the interactive session noted that the media play vital role in the dissemination of information amd as such demand access to information during the course of their investigating processes.
Interactive sesssion and discussions on the ward forward as well as questions, answers from participants formed the give point of the meeting.
Meanwhile, some other dignitaries present were Programme/Communitcation Manager, Mr Mac Donald Ekemezie, Programme Officer, (CTA, Anambra State), Mr Emmanuel Udeh, representatives from Anambra state Ministry of Information, National Orientation Agency (NOA), National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State represented by the Solicitor General of the State, head of ROLAC in Anambra, Mrs Josphine Onah, Awka South Local Government Area personnel, youths and community leaders, CSO and media representatives, among others.
