By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Human rights lawyer and former second vice-president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani, and a Lagos lawyer, John Nwokwu, have invoked the freedom of Information (FOI) Act to demand details of the proposed Kano-Niger Republic rail project from the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
In the FOI request, dated September 29, the lawyers stated that their demand for details of the rail project was premised on the need for transparency and accountability.
The information sought by the lawyers include; actual cost of the project, contract papers, the firm handling it, economic benefit of the project and where it is provided for in the 2020
Appropriation Act, including the source of the funding for the contract.
The lawyers also request the details of the deliberation and approval of such fund by the National Assembly.
The FOI letter signed by Joseph Igwe Esq, reads,
“Kindly provide the information to the best of your knowledge in the interest of transparency and openness which you have been at the vanguard.
“In a public statement credited to you, you did disclose to the media the award of contract for the development of the proposed Kano to Maradi rail line in Niger Republic.
“Sir, you are hereby specifically requested to make available to our clients or grant them access to the actual contract cost of the rail line cutting across Kano state in Nigeria through Maradi in Niger Republic and the termination of the track length.
“The awarded contract document(s), name of the firm and procedure of the award of the contract to the preferred firm.
“The detailed information on where it is provided for in the 2020 Appropriation Act and the source of the generation of the fund for the contract.
“The details of the deliberation and approval of such fund and rail project by the National Assembly.
“The detailed economic benefit of the rail line project from Nigeria through Niger Republic to the generality of the Nigerian populace.
“However, if you think that another agency of the Government has greater interest in the information requested for, you are obliged under
Section 5 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to transfer this request to the other agency within 3 days, howbeit not later than 7 days of receiving this request.
“Our clients shall pay the necessary fees for the information. Be notified that if you fail to provide the above information within the period
stipulated by law we shall proceed against you in accordance with the provisions of the law.
“We have no doubt that you will accede to this request in the interest of the Nation you are serving meritoriously,” the letter stated.
Ubani said would personally feel sad if Amaechi fails, refuses and or neglects to respond to the request.
Ubani, however, believes that the judiciary would ever live up to expectation by compelling the minister to comply with the FOI request should he fail to respond.
