Two important bills have been adopted into law by the Kwara State House of Assembly — the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill and the Water Resource Users Bill. The two bills aim at opening up information to the public as well as facilitating equal utilization of water in the state.
The FOI Bill will allow citizens to access information in government offices and receive answers promptly. The move is said by legislators to help fight corruption and also provide accountability. Citizens will have the right under the law to ask how government money is spent and get answers.
The Water Resource Users Bill creates new standards for the use of water by individuals, communities, and companies in Kwada. It promotes fair access to clean water while protecting water sources against pollution and wastage.
In 2022, Nigerian states came in for severe censure from civil society groups for refusing to pass FOI bills or withholding public information. The majority of transparency activists called on state houses of assembly to pass laws guaranteeing the right to information to citizens. Kwara has now taken that bold step.
Back to the New Laws in Kwara
The Speaker of the House, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, praised his colleagues for their commitment. He noted that both bills show that the government is aimed at improving governance and living in the state. The two laws were passed after third readings and deliberations by several committees.
The officials expect these laws to enable residents’ involvement in decision-making as well as safeguard the environment. Kwara civil society associations welcomed the news and demanded swift implementation.
The path forward is for the governor to sign the bills into law and roll them out across the local councils and ministries.
