Oyo state government would soon embark on Stakeholders
Town-Hall meetings geared towards disseminating government programmes as well
as receiving people’s opinion and needs in their communities.
State Commissioner for Information, Dr
Wasiu Olatunbosun who stressed the commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde to be accountable to the people, noted that no
meaningful development can take place in any society if leaders are not accountable
to their followers.
The commissioner spoke at a programme organised by the Oyo State Directorate of
the National Orientation Agency (NOA) with stakeholders from ministries,
departments and agencies.
Stakeholders at the Freedom of
Information (FOI Act) programme also called for a thorough sensitisation campaign on the application of the Act to
enable members of the public make political office holders accountable.
While some of the stakeholders observed that the lack-lustre implementation of the FOI Act was due to lack of awareness and faulty judicial processes among other things, others
believed Nigerians needed more reorientation on the importance and relevance of
the FOI Act as it relates to government policies and programmes.
They further observed that the absence of FOI desk offices in all MDAs needed
to receive and respond appropriately to requests from members of the public on
government information contribute largely for the inability to get relevant
information about government activities .
Earlier in a welcome address, the state director NOA, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu said
the agency will continue to sensitize the public on key provisions of the FOI
act and how it can be used to promote good governance.
Segun Fatuase
seguntuase@gmail.com
08023092925