The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that every citizen has the legal right to seek an amendment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

Mr Abbas said this at a two-day national workshop and book presentation organised by the House Committee on FOI in collaboration with Rebirth for Media Liberation and Development Initiative in Abuja.

The theme of the workshop is: “FOI and the Burden of Access for National Economic Development: The Legislative Renewed Hope Agenda.’’

The FOI was enacted on May 28, 2011, to provide citizens with the right to access or request information that is in the possession of any public official, agency, or institution.

Mr Abbas, represented by the chairman of the House Committee on Upstream Petroleum, Alhassan Doguwa, said many Nigerians were either ignorant or have not accepted the implementation of the FOI act by the institutions.

“Anybody can sponsor the amendment of an act in the National Assembly, share your experiences with the relevant committees, and it will be read on the floor of the House.

“When a law is signed, it does not mean it is perfect; there could be grey areas to review. Laws that come up at the end can compete with other laws made globally. Most of the laws we make have international or global implications,” he said.

Mr Abbas further said there was a need to enlighten the public on the content and intents of FOI laws.

He also said citizens should express concern on any subject of the laws made by the National Assembly, adding that every Nigerian is a lawmaker.

“FOI Act is a strategic opportunity given to media, Nigerians, and civil society organisations to be able to access vital and sensitive information.

“The laws cannot be implemented in isolation. All hands must be on deck to ensure the effectiveness of FOI Acts,” Mr Abbas said.

According to him, the benefit of the training is to further enhance the knowledge of decision-makers, top management leaders, local government staff and other institutions.

In his speech, the governor of Jigawa, Umar Namadi, said the FOI Act had specified that people in the area of responsibility must surrender the information to those who demand it.

“FOI will strengthen democracy, the relationship between leaders and the led and should be seen as a means to interact and see what is better for them.

“Jigawa State signed an open government partnership with the belief that citizens should be involved,” he said.

Also, the House Committee on FOI Act chairman, Sa’idu Miga, said the act significantly fosters national economic development.

“Let us also recognise that access to information allows citizens to participate in democratic processes and is the bedrock of a progressive society.

“Our goal is to ensure that the legislative Renewed Hope agenda translates into tangible benefits for all Nigerians,’’ he said.

(NAN)