The Independent Information Commission (IIC) and the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) are stepping up pressure on public institutions to comply with Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act, warning that government agencies must do more to make public records accessible to citizens.
The latest campaign, conducted from August 11 to September 2, focused on the National Identification Registry, Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services, Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment and Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation. The engagements brought together public officials to discuss information access, institutional compliance, and records management and corruption prevention.
IIC Executive Director and Head of Secretariat, Hon. Lorpu P. Page, and said freedom of information should be treated as an institutional responsibility rather than the duty of one officer or department. She urged government agencies to put systems in place that allow citizens to obtain public information without unnecessary delays.
Page said stronger compliance with the law could improve public confidence in government while giving citizens greater opportunity to understand and scrutinize decisions made in their name.
Acting Outreach Director Jutomue Doetein used the sessions to explain the rights guaranteed under the Freedom of Information Act, including the procedures for requesting government-held records and the limited circumstances under which information can be withheld. He stressed that citizens do not have to explain their reasons or demonstrate a personal interest before requesting public information.
The Commission also emphasized that searching for and providing information should generally be free, although requesters may be required to pay reasonable reproduction costs. Officials were encouraged to ensure that such requirements do not become barriers to citizens seeking information.
Acting Compliance Director Armah Boimah Johnson focused on the practical obligations of government institutions, including the appointment of Public Information Officers, creation of Internal Information Request Review Bodies, proper records management, maintenance of FOI request registers and timely annual reporting.
Johnson also called on institutions to disclose key information before citizens are forced to request it. He identified budgets, procurement contracts, expenditure reports, strategic plans, laws, policies, annual reports and information on public services as records that should routinely be available to the public.
CENTAL Program Officer Siafa S. Kamara linked the right to information directly to the fight against corruption. He outlined corruption risks in procurement, employment, financial and asset management, including bribery, favoritism, conflicts of interest, kickbacks, extortion, illicit enrichment and bid rigging.
The IIC and CENTAL said greater access to government records can give journalists, citizens, civil society groups and oversight bodies the information needed to examine public spending, contracts and official decisions. The Commission said the campaign will continue with the Liberia Immigration Service on September 8, Liberia Electricity Corporation on September 9 and the Food Authority of Liberia on September 10, as it pushes for functioning information-access systems throughout government.
