By Nasratu Kargbo
Right to Access Information Commission’s (RAIC) Chairman, Ibrahim Seaga Shaw has explained plans to put up information boxes in different converging points across Sierra Leone to facilitate the flow of information from members of the public to the authorities.
Speaking just after the budget hearing on the 6th October 2021 Shaw pointed out that according to the Right to Access Information Act, public authorities are supposed to provide a minimum of 22 classes of information through banners, websites etc. of their activities. He said they should reactively provide information.
The Chairman said that persons in authority should be able to grant information to members of the public when they need it. He explained that whenever there is a problem, they are the institution that the people go to in order to intervene on their behalf.
Shaw explained that if they were to be financially empowered, they would put up these boxes right across the country, so that individuals can seek information from public authorities through the boxes. He added that the boxes would be looked at on a weekly basis and the information on the papers sent out to the institution from which the information is needed. He stated that “those boxes will go a long way to help us”.
Throwing light on how the whole project will look like, Shaw said they wish to have the boxes placed in every district in the country at strategic locations where people visit often. “So there will be a very serious demand and supply of information from both parties,” he said.
Speaking on achievements, Shaw explained that a lot has been achieved, explaining that out of 144 cases requested, 132 were successful. He said this means the education, popularization and compliance rate has been improving “even with limited resources”. He explained that many cases were won especially during COVID when officials refused to give out information on how monies were spent, and made mention of the Ministry of Health which was fined for not complying.
The Chairman said they asked for Three Billion Leones for 2022, recalling that for 2021 they had asked for Elven Billion Leones and were given one Billion, an amount he said they have been receiving for the past three years.
Copyright © Politico Online 08/10/21
