CALPED, stakeholders sues for Domestication of Freedom of Information Act in Kaduna
In order to tackle corruption via transparency, accountability and due process, the Coalition of Association for Leadership Peace Empowerment and Development (CALPED), and other stakeholders on Saturday called on Kaduna State House of Assembly to fast track the efforts on the domestication of the Freedom of Information Bill in Kaduna.
Speaking at a one day advocacy dialogue on the theme “Community led anti corruption and accountability engagement through improving access to information” Mr. Goje Yusuf Ishaku, Team Head Governance and Anti corruption Kaduna Unit revealed that tracking government budgeting and spending has been cumbersome given the poor access to information.
According to him, amplified advocacy will accelerate the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill in the next Government stressing that stakeholders should interface on strategies to develop monitoring mechanism for tracking, analyzing and reporting on access to information by residents in the state.
Goje called for increase awareness on existing social accountability digital platforms as effective tools for the fight against corruption in public procurements and project execution.
Also speaking as the Panelist, the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists Kaduna Council Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Halilu represented by Council Treasurer Comrade Nicholas Dekera pin-pointed more awareness and lobbying of Kaduna State Assembly members for more purposeful commitments.
” Kaduna State was the first state that join the Open Government Policy (OGP) in Nigeria so one would natural expect Kaduna State to domesicate the Freedom of Information Bill, but legislation involves a lot of issues. We join voices in calling for the passage of this bill to enhance transparency and accountability in Kaduna State.
” The law makers in Kaduna Assembly must know that the bill is not a trap for them but an essential commodity in governance and even in their oversight functions” Dekera added.
