Jonathan signs Freedom Of Information Bill

Jonathan signs Freedom Of Information Bill
  

Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, has signed the Freedom of Information Bill into law.

A statement from the office of the president said that the bill passed by the outgoing National Assembly was conveyed to the Presidency on May 27 and assented to by Jonathan on May 28.

The Act, which objective is to make public records and information more freely available, also protects public records and information.

The statement states that the Freedom of Information Act also seeks to protect serving public officers from any adverse consequences of disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorisation and establish procedures for the achievement of these purposes.

Reactions

Nigerians have expressed satisfaction with the signing into law of the Freedom of Information Bill, saying that President Goodluck Jonathan has seriously committed to consolidating democracy through the law that will bring about a robust citizen’s participation.

The Chief of Party, Centre for Public Opinion and Media Research (CePOMeR), and former Coordinator, Freedom of Information (FOI) Coalition, Osaro Odemwingie, said that the singular action by the president had promoted Nigeria into the glorious club of progressive nations serious about supporting its people to play a frontline role in the promotion of transparency and accountability in governance.

CePOMeR also commended the leadership and members of both chambers of Nigeria’s National Assembly which overcame years of needless foot-dragging to act swiftly in the last couple of months to expedite action on the bill in the final days of the sixth parliament session.

Analysts however called on the media to ensure that while using the law, which has the greatest potential to cast the much needed light on how government conducts its business and improve value for money and efficiency, the principle of fairness, credibility and objectivity were strictly considered in their reportage.

They said that this would help ensure that stories reported would put the society in proper check against corruption and not bring about destruction of lives and properties.

NAN/Williams