The Adamawa State government has dismissed, out of hand, a Freedom of Information (FoI) request for details on how it utilized the first tranche of Paris Club refunds it received from the Federal Government in December. The request was made by Mr. Aliyu Hamman Tukur Gengele of Anguwan Fada, Mayo Belwa Local Government Area. The letter of request was dated April 4 and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr.Buba Bindir. Mr. Gengele's letter, titled "Freedom of Information Request on Paris Club Funds Implementation in Adamawa State", requested the state government to disclose how much it has received since December, provide documentation on how the first tranche was disbursed and spent and the exact amount expected in the second installment.
Also requested were the exact details of how the second tranche will be disbursed and spent as well as information relating to public expenditure and other funds. Mr. Gengele gave the government a seven-day ultimatum to provide the information requested. He explained that the request made was occasioned by the controversies surrounding the deployment of the first tranche of funds released by the Federal Government.
"In line with the recent news by the Federal Government to release the second tranche of the Paris Club refunds and the unfolding controversies surrounding the usage of the first tranche of funds released, which has led to the Federal Government setting up new guidelines for the release of subsequent funds," Mr. Gengele wrote.
But the state government, apparently irritated by the demand for accountability, responded in dismissive fashion to Mr. Gengele's request. In a reply signed on behalf of the SSG and dated 5 April, the government said it is under no obligation to provide requested information because the FoI legislation has not been domesticated in the state.
"Since your request is based on Freedom of Information Act 2011, I regret to inform you that we are not obliged to comply since the Act has not been domesticated in Adamawa State and therefore, of no effect and cannot be enforced, please," wrote the state government. For effect and in the expression of glee, the government letter concluded with "over and out".
