Cross River Government Express Willingness To Domesticate Freedom Of Information Act

By Patrick Obia

The Cross River State Government is willing to domesticate the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

The decision was revealed by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Tanko Ashang (SAN) during a courtesy visit by a delegation by Connected Development (CODE). The visit is part of the Power of Voices Partnership (PVP) project being implemented by the NGO.

Ashang (SAN) said the domestication of the Act is a welcomed development because it seeks accountability from government departments and MDAs.

He added that, apart from seeking transparency in government, the State will benefit from its domestication.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria charged CODE to avail the Ministry of a copy of the Act from any of the States that have passed it for perusal and quick draft to the governor.

“Since the State has not domesticated it and it is not before the State House of Assembly, what you should do, is get us the copy of the FOI Act from any State that has it already, get me a letter with your letterhead, and appeal that the government should make an effort to institute that.

“When you get us the letter we will make the recommendation to the governor. It is good and brings transparency; the government benefits when there is transparency and many people don’t know that. Please try to get us the copy before Friday (this week) because we don’t have time again. If I’m not around any of us can scale it up.

“We are the Ministry of Justice, your programs resonate better with us than other ministries, what you are doing will make sense to us faster than it makes sense with others,” he assured.

Earlier, the Cross River State Lead of Follow The Money Movement, Etim Effanga, briefed the AG on the importance of the Act if passed in the State.

Etim who is also the South-South Zonal Lead of Follow The Money commended the Commissioner for Justice and his colleagues for their eagerness to domesticate the Act in the State.

He pledged the commitment of CODE to work with the Ministry to domesticate the FOI Act.