By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
The African Center for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS Africa), a civil society organisation (CSO), has raised concerns over the low awareness of critical legislative frameworks such as the Public Procurement Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act, and Freedom of Information Act.
The Executive Director of the NGO, Miss Amaka Bianchi, made this known on Wednesday during a one-day media roundtable organised by the CSO in collaboration with Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme.
The event focused on Support to Civil Society Advocacy towards Strengthening Key Legislative Frameworks for Increased And Good Governance, in Umuahia.
The Executive Director described the laws as vital for ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance, particularly in public finance management and service delivery.
Bianchi said that public engagement with these laws remains significantly low due to poor sensitisation efforts by government agencies.
She also described the Fiscal Responsibility Act as a crucial tool for monitoring budget implementation, stressing that without awareness, citizens cannot effectively demand accountability from the government.
According to her, proper enforcement of this law would enhance service delivery even at the local government level.
Bianchi also expressed concerns that most legislative documents passed by State Houses of Assembly do not receive adequate publicity, noting that this leaves citizens unaware of policies that directly impact governance.
She pointed out that the Public Procurement Law was domesticated in Abia State in 2012, yet many residents remain oblivious to its existence. She, therefore, called for greater collaboration between the media and civil society organizations (CSOs) to bridge this gap.
Bianchi said that such partnerships would ensure that legislative instruments would be adequately publicised and understood by the public.
In his speech, the State Project Coordinator of Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC), Mr. Peter Omenka, urged journalists in Abia to play the crucial role of holding government accountable.
Omenka said that journalists ought to ensure that government programmes and policies align with public interest as the fourth estate of the realm.
“When I hear calls for support, they are not out of place because if the government is going the wrong way, someone has to say it,” he said.
Omenka underscored the need to equip the media with the necessary legislative framework to stand up to state actors without fear of intimidation.
“If we do not engage the government to ensure they do what they are supposed to do, we risk having a society that becomes unpleasant for all”, he said.
Omenka called for stronger collaboration between journalists, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote transparency, and create a better, more accountable governance system.
In a remark, the Chairman of Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abia Council, Chief Sam Ibe, thanked the organisers of the event for enlightening journalists on legislative frameworks that would facilitate their duties.
Ibe said that the workshop had enabled participants to gain additional knowledge that would help them in discharging their duties as journalists.
“I am sure we have benefitted from the interactions and I want to thank you for giving us this opportunity.
“We will like you to come around from time to time,” he said.
In separate interviews, some participants described the workshop as a proactive engagement that would help in addressing the key issues affecting journalists.
The State Correspondent of News Agency of Nigeria in Abia, Mr. Ijendu Iheaka, said that journalists play very crucial roles in ensuring government accountability.
Iheaka said that increased awareness and enforcement of key laws could compel the government to act in the best interest of the people.
According to him, journalists in Nigeria have been making commendable efforts, but with the right support they would achieve even more.
He noted that the discussions during the training session have helped remind participants of critical issues that they may have forgotten.
Iheaka said that with improved knowledge and resources journalists can drive positive change and ensure governance is more transparent, inclusive, and people-oriented.
Also, the Correspondent of Statesman Newspapers in Abia, Miss Henrietta Ashikodi, said that sensitising journalists on legislative issues empowers them to ask the right questions and demand better governance.
Ashikodi called on relevant agencies to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act in Abia.
She also called on the organisers of the workshop to hold regular training for media practitioners in the state.
