By Mumini Abdulkareem
The Kwara State Freedom of Information (FOI) bill has passed through Second Reading at the Floor of the State House of Assembly.
The Speaker, while directing the Clerk, Hajia Halimat Jummai Kperogi, to read the Bill for the second time, directed an – all – inclusive public hearing on the bill be held and report back to the House within 5 days, to see if people of the state will support the passage of the bill to ensure enactment of a practicable and enduring Freedom of Information law in the state.
Members had while speaking on the general principles of the bill, enumerated the numerous benefits of domesticating the law in the state, with few members voicing their reservations
Member representing Ojomu/Balogun Constituency, Hon. Saheed Popoola, who observed that the bill was desirable, queried the timing of its passage into law.
The FOI bill was read for the first time at the flow of the House on Tuesday which seeks to provide for a law to make public records and information more freely available, provide access to public records and information, protection of personal privacy, protect serving Public Officers from adverse consequences of disclosing certain kinds of public information without authorization.
It was sponsored by member representing Ilorin North West Constituency, Hon. AbdulRafiu AbdulRahman.
Meanwhile, the Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), a Kwara-based Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has lauded the Dr Ali Ahmad-led Kwara State House of Assembly for giving attention to the Kwara State Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill 2019.
Recall that ENetSuD, in a letter addressed to the Speaker dated 6th May, 2019, requested the 8th Kwara State House of Assembly to domesticate the FOI Act in Kwara State before the end of the Assembly tenure.
In the letter jointly signed by its Coordinator, Dr Alagbonsi Abdullateef and Director of Legal Services, Bar Lukman Raji, ENetSuD stated that the tracking of Federal Government-funded projects in Kwara State that it has extensively done and popularly known for was possible because of the FOI Act 2011, which is a Law of the Federation.
ENetSuD added that it has found it very difficult to track Kwara State Government-funded projects because the State Government has always insisted that the Act has not been domesticated in Kwara State and thus cannot provide some information.
ENetSuD also noted that the domestication of FOI Act by the outgoing administration will set the pace and standard of Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance for the incoming and successive governments of Kwara State, and will also give power to citizens, civil societies and non-governmental organizations to demand for Transparency and Accountability.
The body lauded the mover of the bill who is also chairman of House Committee on Information, Hon Abdulrafiu Abdulrahman and other members for supporting it, noting that history will not forget them in their giant stride to give Kwarans a legislation that will ensure Transparency and Accountability in governance.
It also sought the goodwill of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to give his assent immediately the bill is passed by the Assembly.
