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Non-governmental organization, Connected Development, CODE’s FOI Coalition Team on January 24, 2024 paid an advocacy visit to the Rivers State commissioner for Health, Mrs Adaeze Oreh, in a bid to “strengthen collaboration in order to drive the FOI legislation at the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
According to the Coalition Team Lead, Mr. Charles Timothy Uffort, CODE is implementing Power of Voices Fair4All Project with support from OXFAM Nigeria in the State. Of which one of it’s objective seeks to advocate for the domestication of the Freedom of Information ACT to enhance access to information by it’s citizen. He mentioned that the visit also sought to identify the measures being put in place by the state government for community members to access health facilities in their locality, as well as submit CODE’s Advocacy Brief on findings the non-governmental organization carried out in communities.
Our reporter gathered that the commissioner for Health, Mrs Adaeze Oreh, thanked the team for the visit, and expressed readiness to support and partner with CODE to ensure the FOI legislation is being pushed for implementation so the citizens can have right to information sought.
Oreh said she has been following up on CODE’s work before she resumed her position as a commissioner, and in line with that she’s always receptive to CODE on any activity.
She expressed deep satisfaction with the research work and data mining done by CODE on the projects implemented in Rivers, adding that it was intense and also helpful in reorganizing her work.
Oreh mentioned that copies of the work were shared with other MDAs, adding that they appreciated the work. She however asked that the project should be extended to other communities and local government areas in the state.
The commissioner who noted that the administration is still young, said they will take a little time to adjust to issues concerning the health sector in the state. She said they have already highlighted such issues, and are working to address them.
She highlighted some of the approaches, such as the training of medical chiefs in local facility on educating women and traditional birth attendance in the bid to curb child birth mortality in rural area, especially where there are no health facilities.
Oreh stressed the need to pay attention to women of reproductive age, children, elderly, and those between the ages of 49 to 60, especially with regard to mental health and social health care.
The Team used the opportunity to stress CODE’s effort to engage with the government and stakeholders on the need to drive the FOI legislation, and ensure it benefits the state and its people.
