By Frankwhite Nzeh
The National Film And Video Censors Board (NFVCB ), has been listed among the most outstanding MDAs in the 2021 National Freedom of Information(FOI) compliance ranking for public institutions.
In the 2021 ranking recently released by the FOI Vault, NFVCB, regulator of the nation’s film industry, is standing at 20th position out of the 213 public institutions ranked during the period under review.
The ranking was conducted by a coalition of civil society oranisation, Public and Private Development Centre(PPDC) Budgit, Right 2 Know(R2K), Media Rights Agenda(MRA), The International Centre for Investigative Reporting(ICIR) and Basic Right Watch(BRW)
The National Freedom of Information ranking is based on the MDAs compliance to the provisions of the Freedom of Informaion Act of 2011. Points are assigned to MDAs based on three main parameters; Proactive Disclosure, Level of Responsiveness to request for information and Level of Disclosure.
Proactive Disclosure Points are calculated based on the presence of relevant information on MDAs websites while level of disclosure is determined by the number of days it takes an institution to respond to an information request.
Responding to NFVCB’s position in the FOI compliance ranking for the year, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director/CEO of the board , expressed delight that the development was an indication that his agency’s commitment to delivery on its mandate was being recognised.
Thomas noted that the unwavering support, trust and goodwill of the Hon.Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed for NFVCB current management was also instrumental to the successes it has so far recorded.
He also commended the FOI Desk officers at the board for their timely response to requests demanding for relevant information from the board.
In his words ,“The latest ranking placing the board at 20th position out of 213, is a clear indication that we are on top of our game as an agency of the Federal Government , especially in compliance with government policies and programs.
“We hope to do more by building on whatever we have done right that earned us this recognition, and also deliver more prudently on our mandate of regulating the film and video industry.
“ The NFVCB, under my watch, is poised towards ensuring that the ease-of-doing-business mantra of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is upheld , and we have demonstrated this in our overall service delivery to stakeholders, especially filmmakers.”
