4 out of 16 African countries comply with provisions of FOI – Legal practitioner

A legal practitioner in the Freedom of Information Unit (FOI) of the federal ministry of Justice, Ochibor Joseph Gowon has said that only four out 16 African countries implement the provisions of the freedom of information act which was signed in 2011 to make governance transparent.  Gowon made the disclosure during a workshop organized by […]

A legal practitioner in the Freedom of Information Unit (FOI) of the federal ministry of Justice, Ochibor Joseph Gowon has said that only four out 16 African countries implement the provisions of the freedom of information act which was signed in 2011 to make governance transparent. 

Gowon made the disclosure during a workshop organized by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) with the theme “Policy on Leadership and Policy Strategies”. 

Speaking on the topic “The Civil Service and Information Management” he said the federal ministry of Justice has not yet attained a full level of implementation of the Act, adding that several ministries, departments and agencies of government also have not fully complied with their submissions in line with the provisions of the Act 

He identified NEPAD as one of the departments not in compliance with the FOI Act, saying the office which is domiciled under the Presidency failed to submit for six years, official reports detailing its compliance with the Act to the appropriate authority.  

In her remarks the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD Nigeria, Gloria Akabundu, said the leadership and training workshop became very important in the organization for both junior and senior staff for effective service delivery and for staff to be more conversant with current policies of government.