IIC Launches FOI Audit of Public Institutions -Sends Circulars to Government Entities On Ensuing Assessment
By H Matthew Turry
MONROVIA – Independent Information Commission (IIC) says it has issued a circular memorandum to all government ministries, agencies, public corporations, commissions, sub-committees, military and paramilitary institutions of its upcoming assessment of Public Information Officers (PIOs) at their various institutions.
In an October 14, 2024 circular addressed to all public institutions, and signed by Madam Lorpu Page, Executive Director, the IIC said, “Consistent with the FOI act which empowers Independent Information Commission, the IIC has authorized its employees, Mr. Amah B. Johnson and Mr. Bernard M. Clarke to conduct a full compliance assessment on the government institutions commencing Monday, October 21, 2024 to November 15, 2024 to determine the government FOI implementation status, a major component of the Commission’s Annual Report to the National Legislature.”
“In view of the above,” a press statement quoted the circular, “the Commission requests that you accord our team with the necessary support and information needed to successfully conduct this assessment.
“All Government Institutions must appoint or designate one Staff as Public Information Officer, Setup An internal Review Mechanism, Promote Proactive Disclosure (Automatic Publication of Documents or Records as soon as they are generated or received) and Report to the IIC.”
According to the Circular Memorandum, “The Freedom of Information Law of Liberia mandates all public bodies and private institutions covered under the Act to appoint or designate, Maintain and duly support at least one personnel/staff whose overall responsibilities shall be to receive requests for information held by the authority or entity and coordinate the response(s) of the authority or entity to all such requests.”
The IIC further noted: “The designated personnel shall serve as primary contact of the authority or agency with the public relative to request for and provision of information and his responsibilities shall include promoting best practices in record maintenance, storage, and management, and assisting members of the public, especially illiterate and other physically challenged persons to file requests for information.”
“Chapter 6 Section 6.2 of the Freedom of Information Act requires that an applicant who receives a negative decision or action regarding a request for information or who believes that the transfer of his or her request or the fees charged by the public body or private entity are inconsistent with FOI Law shall in all cases be entitled to an Internal Review of the action or decision,” the IIC Circular narrated.
The FOI Commission noted that such internal review shall be conducted by a senior official or an internal Information request review body to be established by each authority or agency. An internal Review shall be concluded within thirty (30) working days as of its filing by the applicant.
“According to Chapter 5 sec 5.3 of the FOI Act, all public bodies and private entities to which the act applies shall submit to the Independent Information Commission, report concerning activities carried out during the preceding year,” the Commission said.