A Non Governmental Organization identified as Paradigm Initiative Nigeria has threatened to sue the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, over its refusal to respond to the Freedom of Information FoI-sanctioned requests on the ID card project with MasterCard.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Executive Director of PIN Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, on Monday.
PIN Nigeria explained that it wrote to the NIMC on September 4, 2014 in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2011, requesting for copies of all documents relating to the procurement and contract for the provision of payment by MasterCard for the general multi-purpose card.
The statement gave other information requested to include the grant document and the grant agreement between MasterCard and NIMC, contract currency, the effective start and end date of the contract, the terms and conditions of the contract, payment schedule and the payment terms.
The group, however, claimed that NIMC only responded on October 24, after more than one month, contrary to the provision of the FOI Act, which stipulates one week.
PIN Nigeria fumed that even when the Commission responded; it failed to grant its requests as it cited trade secret and national security as reasons why the request cannot be granted.
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