Media Rights Agenda Calls on

President Obasanjo to Sign Freedom of Information Bill

ABUJA: Thursday, March 29, 2007:   Media Rights Agenda (MRA) today called on President Olusegun Obasanjo to assent to the Freedom of Information Bill, which was dispatched to him for assent by the National Assembly on Friday, March 23, 2007.

In a Press Statement issued in Abuja, MRA’s Executive Director, Mr. Edetaen Ojo said:  “We are concerned that time is fast running out as the President now has only 24 days left within which to assent to the Bill given the provision of Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution which requires him to signify his intention to assent or withhold assent within 30 days after a bill is presented to him.”

MRA noted that the proposed Law is consistent with the Obasanjo Administration’s anti-corruption crusade and reform programmes, as it will strengthen the legal framework for fighting corruption and provide a platform for public participation in governance. 

It drew the President’s attention to the fact that the National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) document, formulated and adopted by his administration, prioritizes the Right to Information Act as one of two flagship legislative interventions to underpin Nigeria’s economic transformation; the other being the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

MRA argued that the benefits of a Freedom of Information Act would be far reaching for Nigeria and Nigerians as it would, amongst other things, promote an accountable and transparent system of government, eliminate corruption in all areas of governance, eliminate secrecy in public sector transactions, promote public participation in governance, enhance the public’s sense of belonging and improve public trust in government.

Besides, it said, it would also enable Nigeria to comply with its international obligations to adopt an access to information law for its citizens, particularly under Articles 10 and 13 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (2003);  Article 9 of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (2003); Article 4 of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa (2002); Article 19 of the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966); the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Principles (1999), the UN’s Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992), UN’s Principles on Freedom of Information (2000); Articles 3 and 4 of the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (1998), among others.

MRA urged the President to assent to the Bill immediately, saying: “We believe that the signing into law of the Freedom of Information Bill would be one of the major legacies of your administration.  It will put Nigeria in the league of some 70 countries around the world that have Freedom of Information Laws and will make Nigeria the fourth country in Africa to adopt such a Law, after South Africa (in 2000), Angola (in 2005) and Uganda (in 2005).  This is fitting, given Nigeria’s leadership role on the continent and globally.”

Note to Editors:

• The Freedom of Information Bill, when it becomes law, will give Nigerian citizens access to public records and documents, subject to certain exemptions specified in the Bill.  The categories of information exempted from public access under the proposed Law include: information that may be injurious to national security; information relating to the conduct of international affairs; information that can interfere with ongoing law enforcement investigations, prevent a fair trial, or undermine the security of penal institutions; trade secrets, financial, commercial or technical information that belongs to the government and has economic value; personal information; and information subject to solicitor-client privilege, among others.

• The Bill was passed by the House of Representatives on August 25, 2004 and subsequently passed by the Senate on November 15, 2006.

• Both versions of the Bill were harmonized by the Conference Committee of the National Assembly on February 14, 2007.  The harmonized version of the Bill was subsequently adopted by the Senate on February 21, and similarly adopted by the House of Representatives on February 27, 2007.

• If the President refuses to assent to the bill, it will be returned to the National Assembly and will require two-thirds majority of each chamber of the National Assembly to pass it again for it to become Law without the assent of the President.
   

For further information, contact: Ene Enonche (Ms)

                        Tel: 09-4133771

Fax: 09-4133772

Mobile: 0803 451 6807

E-mail: ene@mediarightsagenda.org