Policy Alert has described the continued refusal of many states governments to comply with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011 as a dangerous trend for our democracy. The organization said this in a statement to mark the 2019 International Right to Know Day which is celebrated globally on September 28 each year.
The statement, signed by the organisation’s Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Officer, Ms. Utibe Archibong, noted: “The FOI Act obligates public institutions, whether at the federal or the subnational levels, to proactively disclose certain categories of publicly held information and to respond to information requests by citizens in line with the provisions of the Act. However, we have noticed a dangerous trend among states governments refusing to comply with the Act.
“Budgets and budget implementation information are among the most withheld category of information by state governments. Currently, only 25 states have their budgets online. Of the nine states in the Niger Delta, only four – Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Abia- have their budgets online. Among those who publish their budgets online, very few proactively publish quarterly, half-yearly and annual Budget Implementation Reports, while none as yet publishes budget information in a truly open format that enables analysis and reuse, which frustrates efforts of citizens to hold governments accountable on their budgetary commitments.”
The statement added: “While we are alarmed by this trend, we are happy use the occasion of the 2019 International Right to Know Day to call on states governments to step up their compliance with the FOI Act. It is a day set aside for people around the world to celebrate the right to access information held by public authorities. Access to information can further human rights and sustainable development and because subnational governments are closer to the people, they have a higher potential to make information work for human development.”
