NIPC harps on compliance to FoI Act

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has urged government establishments to be transparent in their operations in compliance with Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in order to build public confidence.

Ms Yewande Sadiku, NIPC Executive Secretary made the call on Friday  at a news conference in Abuja.

NIPC recently emerged the second best of the 191 Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) that were assessed at the 2019 National Freedom of Information (FOI) Compliance & Transparency Ranking.

Sadiku explained that NIPC attained such position due to its commitment to making public records and information more freely available in accordance with the law.

She said it was imperative for government agencies to be transparent to build investors confidence and encourage them to invest in the country.

She recalled that in 2016, NIPC was ranked 90th out of 131 MDAs assessed for compliance and transparency while in 2017 it came 75th out 166 MDAs.

The NIPC boss said that in 2018, the commission ranked 17th out of 187 MDAs while in 2019 it ranked second out of 191.

Sadiku expressed the hope  that in 2020 NIPC would be at the top rank on transparency  compliance index.

She commended members of  staff of NIPC for their efforts towards moving the commission from reactive to proactive investment promotion.

Sadiku urged all tiers of government and Nigerians at large to collaborate with NIPC to boost Foreign Direct Investment.

“We need the support of all Nigerians because the job of the investment promotion is not that of a single agency.

” It requires the support of all arms, levels of government and the media to be impactful,” she said.

Mr Sabo Isiaku, Head, Corporate Service Division, NIPC recalled that the FOI Act was signed into law in May 28, 2011.

Isiaku said that FOI act gave a maximum of seven days excluding weekend for a request to be granted.

He said the commission attained such height because of its proactive and periodic disclosure of required information on its website.

Isiaku said some of the information the commission made available on its website are; Pioneer Status Report, 2019 appropriation, list of registered companies under NIPC act, Memorandum of Understanding and agreement signed and procurement details (NAN)