A former employee of the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), David, can finally support his appeal before the Public Service Commission (PSC) following the release of certified copies of documents he had sought. David made a request for information to NITA on 5th June 2018, however, the institution failed to grant access within the required 21days which is the statutory timeframe outlined under the Access to Information Act, 2016.
The refusal by NITA to grant David access to the requested information even after reminders, delayed the hearing of his appeal which was pending before the PSC prompting him to lodge a complaint with the Commission.
The Commission by way of inquiry on 9th January 2019, directed the Director General of NITA to respond to David’s request failure to which Section 23 of the Access to Information Act, 2016, would be invoked. The Authority supplied the Commission with the documents for further transmission to David on 17th January 2019. However, upon perusal of the documents, David responded to the Commission to request the Authority to release certified copies of documents and additional documents which were not in the initial request.
The Commission advised David to make a new request for information regarding the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Staff Disciplinary Committee among other documents under Section 8 of the Access to Information Act, 2016. The Authority, through the CEO, supplied the certified copies of the requested documents to the Commission for further transmission to him.
David expressed his gratitude for the Commission’s intervention.
“I am incredibly pleased with the quality of service provided to me by the Commission. I wish to acknowledge with thanks the immense input of your officers for the professional manner in which they handled my issue with such a great commitment to its conclusion,” he wrote in appreciation letter.
