Retreat participants seek speedy passage of Information Bill

Francis Falola, Minna

The Punch, Monday, November 6, 2006.

Participants at a media retreat organized for journalists in the north central zone of the country have appealed to the National Assembly to ensure speedy passage of the bills on Freedom of Information and Fiscal Responsibility.

The appeal formed part of the communiqué issued at the end of the two-day retreat, organized by the National Planning Commission, in Minna, Niger State, on Saturday.

The retreat, which had as its theme: “Understanding and Communicating the NEEDS Reform Agenda,” was declared open by the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Dr. Osita Ogbu, represented by the Coordinating Director of Policy Support, Communication and Coordination Department of the NPC, Mrs. Laraba Bagaiya.

The participants described the quick passage of the bills and other relevant bills as necessary in guaranteeing continuity and sustenance of government economic reforms.

The communiqué, signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Alhaji Suleiman Adara and the secretary, Mr. Bala Bitrus, highlighted the need for government to create more awareness about the imperatives and benefits of the National Economic and Empowerment Development Strategy and other reform programmes through the mass media.

It wants more sensitization workshops about NEEDS, SEEDS and LEEDS to be organized at state and local government levels more frequently in order to achieve the desired objectives.

According to the communiqué, “To make for policy consistency and sustainability, stakeholders should work towards entrenching institutional framework to ensure that NEEDS reform programmes outlive the present administration.”