Parliament debates FOI Bill

Freetown, 09 June (SLENA): The Minister of Information and Communication, Hon. Alhaji I. B. Kargbo has tabled the Freedom of Information Bill in parliament.

Presenting the bill, the minister pointed out that it was part of government initiative to promote human rights and good governance, stressing that the bill seeks to make information available for public consumption.

He told parliament that the bill, being an Act, will allow for the disclosure of information held by public authorities and that it will promote transparency, accountability and good governance. It will ensure efficiency in public administration and the rule of law, the minister assured, pointing out that if the bill becomes an Act, it will help students, researchers including journalists and ordinary citizens to access the needed information.

Explaining the various sections of the bill, IB Kargbo said it is divided into parts that include but not limited to the right to access information, measures to promote openness, provisions for administrative, financial, appeals, penalties and exemption clauses, etc.

In his initial contribution to the bill, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Information, Hon. Yapo Condeh Conteh supported the bill but noted that structures are not in place to enact the bill.

On his part, Hon Frank Kposowa of the SLPP and former President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) referred to the bill as good for the development of the country as it can encourage transparency in public offices.

Hon Alimamy Coleson Turay of the APC highlighted the disadvantages of the bill which he said must be carefully looked into.

While Hon. Mathew Nyuma of the SLPP praised the bill, saying it will help move the nation forward, Hon Ibrahim Bundu of APC and Hon. Eric Koedoeyoma urged that the bill be critically examined in order to weigh the benefits the nation will derive before it can be passed into law.

While making his contribution, majority leader of the house, Hon SBB Dumbuya, thanked the minister and government for the effort in bringing the bill before parliament, noting that as a government they were in support of the bill but pointed out that measures have to be put in place for the bill to be effective.

“I believe in freedom of speech but I hate too much freedom of anything,” he added.

After the bill had gone through the First and Second Reading it was sent to the legislative committee for further deliberations.

HB/MoDEP/SLENA

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!

People who looked at this item also looked at…

• Information and Communications Minister calls presidential invitation a cardinal endorsement
• Boost for President Koroma – Sierra Leone elected to serve UN Human Rights Council
• Sierra Leone’s Maximum Pademba Road Prison to be relocated – good news at last!
• “Pay us our money or …” 311 soldiers speak

Related items

• Information and Communications Minister calls presidential invitation a cardinal endorsement
• IMC Suspends 3 Newspapers in Sierra Leone
• After Three Days Strike Sierra Leone Broadcasting Company Workers Resume Work But…
• IMC Bans Afri Radio in Sierra Leone
• Sierra Leone’s Maximum Pademba Road Prison to be relocated – good news at last!

© 2012, Sierra Express Media. All rights reserved.

RELATED STORIES

• Information and Communications Minister calls presidential invitation a cardinal endorsement
• IMC Suspends 3 Newspapers in Sierra Leone
• Cultural Rights is a Journey: Freedom of Information is good but Tribal Anxiety is Bad
• Empowering the Media, the people’s mouthpiece through (FOI)
• Bridge to Lungi rubbish – Pass the FOI Bill now!
• No brilliance is required in law; just common sense
• Sierra Leone could be in blatant breach of international laws!
• Household level contribution to the Free Healthcare in Sierra Leone
• After Three Days Strike Sierra Leone Broadcasting Company Workers Resume Work But…
• Mourning the Kelvin Victory

LATEST NEWS HEADLINES

• Tribute… Alice Foyah goes to Wonderland
• JAFAI plans to empower women, children and physically challenged
• London Mining refurbishes Lunsar landmark in Sierra Leone
• No brilliance is required in law; just common sense
• Imams end confab in Makeni

ALSO IN THE NEWS

Why Should African Governments Make Proper Use of Their Talented Nationals?

There is certainly no doubt that the Brain Drain Syndrome began first as phenomenon in the developing countries some decades ago. However, it became a palpable reality in the 70’s when, experts, professionals and intellectuals began to journey to the developed world in search for a better life and more lucrative ventures in every domain [...]

MORE STORIES

ACC Encourages Bike Riders To Reject And Report Corruption

• Japan, a subtle but effective partner for Africa: Interview with JICA President, Akihiko Tanaka
• Nongowa Chiefdom Strict On Local Tax Collection
• Livestock tracking in Africa goes high tech
• African Development Fund: Governors support a successful ADF replenishment
• ABC Secretariat hold workshop on Gender-based violence and teen pregnancy
• Secrecy in Oil, Gas and Mining Conspires Against Economic Development

HAVE YOUR SAY

Share you views: What would you like to see more/less of on Sierra Express Media? Send us your ideas and include your name and the area you are writing from.

Our New Website Has a More Efficient Layout

We invite you to give us your feedback

MORE NEWS HEADLINES

• Malian children face education crisis – Conflict disrupts schools
• Prince Taylor Appeal Denied for Late Filing; Judges Rule Appeal Not Properly Before the Chamber
• Senegal Embassy Celebrates Independence Day
• Prosperity is a reality
• As the rainy season approaches – Madam Cholera threatens Sierra Leone again
• Trade Minister visits Milla Group factory in Sierra Leone