|
Workshop Makes Case For the Physically
Challenged in FOI Advocacy
Participants at a grassroots workshop in
Benin City, Edo State, have stressed the need for special measures to be
taken to properly inform physically challenged Nigerians about the
contents of the proposed Freedom of Information Law and how they can
benefit from it.
They observed that a large number of
Nigerians were suffering from physical disabilities and that it will be
necessary to find effective means of bringing the existence of the law to
their notice when the Freedom of Information Bill, which is presently
before the National Assembly, is passed.
The participants therefore suggested the use
of alternate media, including Braille, large prints, interpretations and
sign language, which they argued would enable such Nigerians understand
the law and its purpose and thereby make better use of it.
The forum, the second in the series of
workshops aimed at bringing the content of the Bill to the average
Nigerian, was organized by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), in collaboration
with Environmental Rights Action (ERA), with support from the European
Union (EU).
According to participants, a factor that
will be critical to the successful implementation of the proposed Law
would be how many Nigerians from all works of life are able use it.
The participants also recognized traditional
rulers and leaders of religious organizations as key players in the
society who should be involved in the advocacy for the enactment of the
Bill into law in view of their influence on their subjects and citizens
generally.
Speaking at the opening, the coordinator of
the workshop and MRA’s Campaign Director, Mr. Tive Denedo, said the
proposed Law would enable Nigeria conduct a correct assessment of her
natural bio-diversity, have a true account of her environmental processes
and provide a detailed status of the wealth of her ecosystem.
In his contribution, the Executive Director
of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, described the bill as a
mark of progress for Nigeria adding that it would build a solid structure
for the country’s future.
Participants called for a quick passage of
the bill into law, noting that it would also enhance the efficiency and
competence of the nation’s civil service.
They expressed disappointment over the
failure of the Senate to pass the Bill during the last hearing on December
20, 2005, saying they had anticipated being part of the historic moment of
discussing the Bill after it was just passed by the Upper House of the
National Assembly.
They however commended the National Assembly
for giving due attention to the Bill after the initial apathy of the first
Legislature and specifically praised the Senate for its uncommon interest
in the Bill and raising it to the level of a final and third reading
within the space of one year.
The participants urged the Senators not to
be distracted by any negative campaign to stall the Bill but to show a
sense of purpose and write their names in the history book of Nigeria as
those responsible for providing a tool for the re-engineering of the
country by passing the Bill.
Although they also expressed fears over the
current trends of impunity and disregard for the rule of law by various
government functionaries, they observed that the proposed law would
generate a high level of awareness about democratic values. They
expressed confidence that civil society can overcome any opposition to the
bill by certain public functionaries by upholding the principles of
democracy in whatever space they occupy in the country.
The workshop drew participants from
organizations such as the Edo Youth Forum, the Niger Delta Students for
Resource Control, Benin Future, Edo Students Union, the Committee on Vital
Environmental Resources, Igue Youth Association, and media organizations
in Edo State.
|
