NIPC has emerged second best for the second consecutive year among the MDAs assessed at the 2020 National FOI Compliance and Transparency Ranking — this time out of 213 MDAs — maintaining its leadership position with the most consistent ranking from 2019.
The announcement was made at an unveiling ceremony on 28 September 2020, co-organised by six civil society organisations: Basic Right Watch (BRW), BudgIT, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), and Right to Know (R2K). The evaluation parameters included proactive disclosures, responsiveness to information requests, level of disclosure, FOI training, timeliness, the existence of an FOI Desk Officer, and publication and submission of the statutory annual FOIA compliance report.
NIPC's ranking has improved progressively from 90th out of 131 MDAs in 2016. This consistent improvement was achieved through internal commitment to continuous improvement without engagement of any external consultant. NIPC's management and staff have continued to work on proactive disclosure of information covering financial performance, companies registered under the NIPC Act, Pioneer Status Incentive applications processed, procurement, MOUs and contracts — all updated quarterly and accessible on the Commission's website.
