By Mubanga Mubanga
The coalition on Access to Information has demanded for the operationalisation of the Access to Information Law, which was enacted by President Hakainde Hichilema in December last year.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) secretariat, Coalition vice- chairperson Guess Nyirenda who spoke on behalf of the chairperson Fr Alex Muyebe, demanded for operationalisation of the ATI Bill.
“As the Coalition, we have called this briefing to demand for the operationalisation of the ATI Law if its potential is to be realised. We as ATI Coalition, therefore, calls on all stakeholders to work together in demanding the speedy operationalisation and Implementation of the ATI Law by the state,” Nyirenda said. “To this end, we shall continue to engage with government authorities to advocate for the expanded issuance of the statutory instrument. In addition, we shall mobilise public support for the effective implementation of the ATI.”
Nyirenda called on all stakeholders to join in the fight to overcome the challenges and bottlenecks which the coalition was going to encounter along the way.
“We note that our efforts alone cannot succeed in isolation. We need the support and collaboration of all stakeholders, government officials, civil society organisations, the media and ordinary citizens, the rights holders themselves in order to overcome the challenge we face along the way,” said Nyirenda.
