By Matthew Abi
#TrackNigeria: The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has restated its commitment to deepen nationwide implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, FOIA.
The Director General of National Orientation Agency, Dr. Garba Abari made the declaration at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the agency in Abuja.
While saying that it is in furtherance of government’s commitment to openness in the governance process in the country, he said his agency had conducted a nationwide baseline survey to establish the level of compliance by MDAs, down to the local government level.
“In line with its general and specific mandate of undertaking public enlightenment and mobilization, we have also not neglected to be FOIA compliant as the agency of government.
“While we stimulate proactive disclosure by public institutions as required by the Act and encourage public institutions to provide access to information applied for under the act,” Abari said.
He disclosed that according to rating by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the civil society, NOA ranks top as one of the performing MDAs in annual freedom of information.
The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olanisakin who was represented by the acting Director of Defense Information, Col. Onyeama Nwachukwu said the FoIA had not been active until 2011. “It was received as welcome development that will help the society in fighting corruption to aid transparency in governance.”
“In an effort to make the future more accessible in compliance with the FoIA, the Defense headquarters will become more open to the public to increase media coverage of operational activities and to strengthen social activities in the country,” he said.
