Appraisal of FOI Act: Need for Legislative Amendment

This brief seeks to review the FOI Act with a view to propose an amendment to the Act thereby strengthening and make it complementary to other strategies designed to reinforce accountability and transparency in the public sector. Presently, the major drawback to FOI act is its “demand driven” nature which has made it to be less effective in ensuring transparency and accountability in public institutions. Also, the Act does not encourage public participation in the budget process and implementation thereby heightening tax avoidance and evasion.