By Lucky M. McGee, Cub Reporter
The Independent Information Commission, the entity clothed with the authority to ensure the implementation of the freedom of Information (FOl) Law of 2010, has vowed to implement the law as per the mandate of the entity.
Speaking Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Commissioner of the Independent Information Commission Joash Togar Hodges said, all heads of ministries, autonomous agencies, public corporations, commissions and private bodies supported in whole or part by public resources, are mandated under the Freedom of Information Laws of Liberia to do specific things.
These include, to appoint or designate one staff to serve as Public Information Officer (PIO) as enshrined in Chapter 3, Section 3.6 of the FOl Act who is to receive requests for information held by entities and coordinate response(s) to all information requests made to the institution.
Entities are also required to establish an Internal Information Request Review Body as required under Chapter 6, Section 6.2 of the FOl Act. This Review Body in essence is the first step or mechanism through which a requester of information who receives a negative decision or action regarding a request for information or who believes that the transfer of his/her request or the fees charged by the ministry, agency or private entity are inconsistent with the FOl Law, can seek redress.
He said the FOl Law requires all government institutions to provide detailed information regarding their code functions, nature of their activities and operations and the information they possess. Hodges said the ICC is advancing the rights of access to information which is a joint responsibility between the government and its citizens, and the government must therefore ensure full and effective implementation and enforcement of the FOl Law and enable citizens to use the law.
“This can only become possible when government ministries and agencies adhered to their statutory obligation under the FOl Act as indicated above, and this is because the ultimate value of the FOl law rests in its use and it is only by ministries and agencies observing their responsibilities under the law, citizen can become empowered to seek and make request for information; by that, the benefits of access to information can be fully enjoyed,” he said.
Hodges stated that the implementation and enforcement of the FOl Law of 2010 can ensure equity and fairness in governance processes and enhance citizens’ trust and confidence in the government. More to that, it can provide citizens clearer understanding of government policies and promote citizens’ participation; therefore it is a useful tool in the fight against corruption and ultimately enhances good governance.
According to him, the Commission will establish the Freedom of Information Resource Center, a national repository where the public can access basic information about the government and its functionaries.
The ICC Commissioner said the entity will also develop an online digital portal connecting several ministries and agencies where the public can file or request for information and receive prompt responses.
