Civil Society Ranks Nigerian MDA on FOI

The 2016 FOI ranking in Nigeria has set public institutions and security sector organizations into various categories. Category one (public institutions) had Bureau of Public Service Reforms in the 1st position, while Category two (Security Sector Organizations) had the Federal Ministry of Defence Head Quarters 2nd position.

 The ranking was carried out by the Civil Society Organization (CSO) on Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Freedom of Information (FOI) index/compliance in consonance with the FOI Act at a program organized by the Private and Public Development Center (PPDC) on Wednesday, 28th September, 2016 in Abuja.

 This was disclosed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Justice Sector Reform, Barr. Juliet Ibekaku.

 “The Freedom Of Information (FOI) ranking forms part of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) efforts to encourage transparency, openness and accountability”, she explained.

 Barrister Juliet Ibekaku who presented the awards given by PPDC to UBEC and the Director General, Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR), said,”the awards were given in recognition of their openness in public procurement processes and readiness to give information out to the public in compliance with FOI Act”.

 Highlights of the occasion indicated total number of contracts awarded by UBEC in 2015 was 339 out of which 154 were intervention projects, details of budget proposals, actual contract value, contract execution, location of projects. PPDC also presented a team of procurement monitors recruited for the purpose of monitoring procurement processes in public institutions in Nigeria.

 During the programme, a procurement performance report was launched by the Chief Executive Officer, PPDC, Seember Nyager showing details of contracts, contractors, projects, location of the projects and value of such contracts in various institutions especially in Primary Health Care in Delta State.

 Also in attendance were, the Director General, Bureau of Public Sector Reforms, Mr. Joe Abah, Chairman PPDC, Mr. Chibuzo Ekwekwuo, CEO, PPDC, Seember Nyager and other participants.

Ogundoro, Modupe
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29th September, 2016