By mohamedj.bah@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has called upon all public authorities to ensure the prompt submission of their Proactive Disclosure of Information (PDI) Schemes and Annual Compliance Report (ACR) by the deadline of February 1, 2024, in accordance with the Right to Access Information (RAI) Act of 2013.
In a press statement, the Commission expressed appreciation for the efforts of public authorities that have consistently fulfilled their obligations under the RAI Act, leading to a noticeable increase in compliance rates over the past five years, as reflected in the Commission’s annual reports since 2019.
RAIC Chairman and Information Commissioner, Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, emphasized the importance of compliance, stating, “By adhering to freedom of information requests and proactively disclosing information meant for the public domain, as well as submitting ACR and PDI templates, public authorities not only facilitate the smooth and timely supply and demand of public information but also contribute significantly to building public trust in their service delivery.”
The Commission urged those who have not initiated the process to seize the opportunity and ensure their compliance. Shaw highlighted that adherence to the RAI law involves adopting and widely disseminating a publication scheme, approved by the Commission within six months of the Act’s commencement, as per Section 8(2) of the RAI Act 2013. Furthermore, Section 8(5) mandates public authorities to publish information in alignment with their approved publication schemes.
Public bodies were reminded of their obligation to generate timely and high-quality information, proactively disseminating it for broader access by the public and other public authorities. The Commission emphasized the benefits of such proactive disclosure, noting that routinely published information reduces the need for the public to make specific requests, ultimately saving both time and money. MJB/24/1/2024