As part of measures to hold the government accountable, an Abia-based rights group, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Foundation for Environmental Right Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has invoked the Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act) to obtain disclosure on the Abia State Government’s claim of having constructed 108 roads in the state.
This was contained in a letter of FOI request addressed to the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, through the State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Otumchere Oti made it available to journalists.
The request followed claims by the Otti administration in Abia State regarding constructing 108 roads, which have stirred significant public concern and skepticism.
The group says that people are beginning to question the governor’s declarations regarding his administration’s infrastructure achievements, especially since there is no tangible evidence to support these claims.
The letter signed by the FENRAD Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nwafor, and the group’s Program Manager, Michael Ahunanya, said to address these concerns, it became essential to formally request detailed information from the State Government regarding these road construction projects.
FENRAD described a Freedom of Information (FOI) request as an effective tool to ensure that the government provides the public with accurate and verifiable data. The information will enable the public to assess the governor’s performance and ensure that public funds are being utilized effectively and transparently.
The specific information requested in the letter includes a detailed list of the 108 roads, the names, lengths, locations, and specifications, along with technical details such as road width, materials used, and design specifications, a breakdown of the stages of construction, including the start and completion dates for each road.
The group is also asking for the contracts and agreements, funding and financial Details, as well as the monitoring and evaluation reports:
It noted that the provision of the requested information for public scrutiny will help promote transparency, enhance public trust, prevent misinformation, and encourage Responsible Governance:
The FENRAD threatened that if the government fails to provide the requested information or if the response is unsatisfactory, it will escalate the issue by publicizing the lack of transparency and engaging with relevant oversight bodies.
