Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has trained its management staff on the use and application of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.
The one-day sensitisation training was done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, organised to further deepen the federal government’s policy of accessibility to public records and information.
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According to the director-general/CEO of the agency, who was represented by the director of Human Resources Management and Administration, Alhaji Saleh Tukur Yusuf, implementation of the FOI Act will undoubtedly bring openness, accountability and good governance which would in turn greatly minimise corruption in public service.
“One of the key ingredients that portrays an institution as being responsive and adhering to the FOIA, is the operation of an open government policy. Under my watch, NiMet has been observing the provisions of the FOIA, by organising monthly press briefing, where journalists ask questions on the operations and general administration of the agency”, he stated.
In a paper presentation, the head of the FOI unit in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Godwin Garuba, who reeled out the implications and punitive actions to be meted to federal government organisations for refusal to release requested information, commended the DG NiMet and the FOIA desk officer in NiMet, Mrs Theresa Ushie, deputy general manager, Public Relations for adhering to the FOI Act by proactively disclosing information through press releases, regular updates on social media amongst other strategies employed by the organisation.