BENIN CITY – The Edo State Government, in partnership with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, has held a one-day sensitisation workshop for Permanent Secretaries and Heads of MDAs on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
The workshop, convened by the Directorate of Corporate Change, Communication and Performance Management, Office of the Head of Service, took place at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy.
Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, restated government’s readiness to implement the FOIA in line with recent Supreme Court pronouncements affirming its applicability to State institutions. He described the law as a “cornerstone of democratic governance” that empowers citizens, fosters accountability, and strengthens trust between government and the people.
“The FOIA has been in existence since 2011. A Court of Appeal decision once ruled it did not apply to states, but the Supreme Court has now clarified that it applies to all states. The Okpebholo administration, being transparency-driven, is prepared to implement it. This law will ensure citizens know what government is doing and provide feedback to improve services,” he said.
Dr. Okungbowa praised ANEEJ and RoLAC for their collaboration and described the workshop as the first in a series of engagements to strengthen MDAs’ capacity to implement the Act effectively.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Corporate Change, Communication and Performance Management, Dr. (Mrs.) Joy Akhigbe, advised public institutions to be responsive to requests under FOIA, stressing that even when information cannot be released, applicants must be informed of reasons for refusal or referred appropriately.
ANEEJ Programme Manager, Mr. Innocent Edemhanria, in his presentation, said FOIA is a citizen-driven law aimed at deepening accountability. He noted that proper implementation could improve fiscal audits, reduce corruption, and entrench good governance.
“Every public institution must designate officers to facilitate access to information because the burden to prove denial lies on the institution. Citizens must take advantage of this law to hold public bodies accountable,” he said.
