Kufre George
A non-governmental organization created to promote citizens’ participation in governance processes, known as Public and Private Development Center(PPDC) has advised Akwa Ibom State Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs, to be more responsive to Freedom of Information , requests.The PPDC which gave the advice recently during a media briefing addressed by the programme officer of its partner, Policy Alert, Mr. Mfon Gabriel on its maiden edition of the sub-national FOI ranking in Akwa Ibom, also advised that state actors should proactively provide public information on government websites.Gabriel stressed that access to information was important as it gives citizens a voice and knowledge to participate in governance and where necessary, hold governments and institutions accountable for their decisions.The PPDC which noted that it was not yet satisfied with the ranking, stressed that it appears the state government was only professing transparency and accountability as governance ideals, while refusing to honor requests for information from the citizens, civil society, and the media.
