By Christopher Odamah, Asaba
The Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) today passed the Freedom of Information Bill.
The passage of the Bill followed the consideration of the report of the Joint House on the Delta State Freedom of Information Bill at a Committee of the Whole following a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owhefere seconded by Hon Reuben Izeze, member representing Ughelli South State Constituency.
Whie reporting progress so far, the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori who presided over plenary said the members resolved at the Committee of the whole to have gone through the bill, the House then suspend the rules and pass it.
Thereafter, the Majority Leader, Hon. Tim Owhefere, member representing Isoko North State Constituency moved separate motions for the House to suspend orders 77, 78 and 79 and take the third reading to enable the House pass the bill .
The motions were seconded by Honourable Samuel Mariere, member representing Ughelli North 1 State Constituency and Honourable Kennedy Daubry, member representing Burutu North State Constituency and adopted through a voice vote.
The Speaker thanked members for their support in the passage of the bill, adding that the bill will enhance the principles of democracy as the people will now have access to information.
According to him, “The Delta State Freedom of Information bill is for a law to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information.”
The bill is also meant to protect public records and information to an extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy ,protect serving public officers from adverse consequences of disclosing certain official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purpose and for related matters.
