The Legal Adviser, Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Mrs. Adelanke Aremo has described the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, as an important tool for transparency and development.

Speaking during a Radio Bayelsa audience participatory programme, ‘Talk To Bayelsa’, Mrs. Adelanke said FOI gives every citizen of Nigeria the right to request for information in custody of any government official, agency or institution.

She said the FOI Act gives room for government to be accountable and transparent, stressing that youths must arm themselves with information to ask questions, due to the heightened corruption in the country.

Highlighting the uses of the FOI Act, Mrs. Adelanke noted that it is used to gather information, enhance transparency, reduce corruption and stimulate the performance of government representatives.

She further explained that records that can be acquired with the FOI Act include public records, all cooperations established by law, companies with government controlling interest and private companies utilizing public funds.

Mrs. Adelanke added that other strategies to get information and take active part in tackling corruption in the country are, social media discussion, media engagement, dialogue, petitions and questions.