20th May, 2025
The Kwara State House of Assembly has passed two key legislations — the Kwara State Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill 2025 and the Water User Association Bill 2025 — in a move aimed at deepening transparency and encouraging grassroots participation in water resource management.
The passage took place during Tuesday’s plenary following the adoption of reports presented by the respective House committees that worked on the bills.
Chairperson of the House Committee on Youths, Sports and Information, Hon. Motunrayo Shitu, said the FOI bill enjoyed wide acceptance during the public hearing, with stakeholders affirming that access to information is essential for good governance and accountability.
“This bill will empower citizens to seek and obtain information from public institutions, which is a fundamental right in any democracy,” Shitu said.
In a similar vein, the Chairman, House Committee on Water Resources, Hon. Yinusa Oniboki, said the Water User Association Bill was welcomed by most participants at the public hearing, noting it would enhance local participation in the management of water infrastructure and promote sustainability in water use.
“The bill will ensure that communities have a say in the management of water projects and help address challenges around maintenance and usage,” Oniboki noted.
Following the third reading of the bills by the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Ahmed Olayiwola, Speaker Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu directed that clean copies be prepared and forwarded to the state governor for assent.
With the bills now awaiting the governor’s signature, Kwara State inches closer to reinforcing the rights of its citizens to public information and ensuring better community involvement in managing water resources.
