CSOs call for increased access to information in Niger Delta

CSOs in the Niger Delta have recently demanded easier access to information in the area, noting that there is a need for governance to be as open as possible. This demand by the groups under the Niger Delta Open Governance Observatory (NOGO) corresponds with the recommendations of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011. These CSOs have claimed more access to public information is essential in advancing democracy, human rights, and development, particularly in Niger Delta, which experiences great environmental and socio-economic problems.

The concerns raised by the CSOs also include the fact that only one of the nine Niger Delta states has a state-level FOI law. However, in terms of funding, the region gets a good share of support from government departments and international oil companies, but these are rarely realized in terms of positive physical appearance. CSOs claim that giving citizens opportunities to seek and analyze information from public institutions will help them put pressure on authorities and receive improved performances.

These demands are made against the backdrop of the 2024 International Day for Universal Access to Information celebrated annually on the 30th of September. At this time, the CSOs released info on the Niger Delta FOI Rankings project as an attempt to evaluate the extent of implementation of FOI by public institutions in the Niger Delta.

Furthermore, these groups also demand more clarity on how the PIA operational funds, which implies monetary input by oil firms for host communities, are dealt with. Still, there are apprehensions on how these funds are disbursed and controlled. This has resulted in some of the community members complaining of being locked out of decision-making mechanisms – hence the suspicion.

Finally, the CSOs believe that enhanced access to information empowers the targeted Niger Delta communities in their efforts to demand accountability from public institutions, resulting in fair and sustainable development of the affected areas.