ICRC Violates Freedom of Information Request on Food Storage in Nigeria

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) violated a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to obtain and inspect documents containing legal agreements between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the private sector.

On Wednesday, February 28th, 2024, WestAfricaWeekly requested that the Office of the Freedom of Information Officer (ICRC), Mrs Linda Amego, provide the public with information in a letter titled: ‘FOIA Request to Obtain and Inspect Documents showing the Legal Agreements between FMARD and the Private Sector, the 2024 ICRC Budget, and Public Private Projects with Federal Executive Committee Approval’.

In part, the letter reads: Under the Freedom of Information Act (2011), I would like to obtain and inspect a copy of the following records below:

This request comprises thorough details of legal agreements between the FGN and/or Federal  Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Private Sector Companies on
contractual/lease projects under the Agriculture (Silos-Storage) Infrastructure Sector, starting
from 2018 – 2028, 2024 Federal Government Approved Budget and Public-Private Partnership
Projects that have FEC Approvals, plus the operational status of the Silos Facilities as listed on
ICRC  website  (64-83) in particular.

The ICRC is yet to fulfil the statutory response period of 7 working days proscribed in section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (2011), which states:

Meanwhile, ICRC claims to be one of the top public institutions regarding FOI request compliance in 2023. Still, its recent disregard and denial call into question compliance and public trust, mainly when and where the requested information is consumed for personal use or to hold government agencies accountable.

Read: N30 trillion Ways and Means loan: Emefiele indicted, Senate summons Cardoso

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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