Access to Information bill may become law in June, as govt decides on roadmap, others

Access to Information (ATI) bill may become law in June as government makes a decision on its enactment.

Cabinet made a decision on the road map leading to the enactment of the ATI bill by June, 2023, government spokesperson Chushi Kasanda said.

“It is in the interest of the Government to ensure that adequate consultations are undertaken with all stakeholders, so that as planned the Access to Information law is enacted to enhance access to public information,” Kasanda said.

If this becomes law, it means that Zambians are empowered by law to request and be granted access to certain classified information.

It means transparency and accountability.

According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday detailing a cabinet meeting that was chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday.

Kasanda said cabinet approved the hosting of a joint conference for the ninth International Association for Official Statistics (IAOS) as well as the Third International Statistical Institute Regional Statistics (ISI RS) Conference.

The conference is slated for April 4 to 6, 2023 in the tourism capital, Livingstone which will attract 400 international delegates.

Zambia, during the closing session of the 2018 IAOS conference in Paris, France was announced as a host in 2020 before the outbreak of Covid-19.

Kasanda also said the cabinet has also approved the hosting of the Vision Zero International Conference to be held in Livingstone from
September 7-8, 2023.

“The main objective of the Vision Zero Conference is to raise awareness in occupational safety and health as well as to foster coordination among participating member countries,” she said.

Kasanda also said cabinet during the same meeting approved the conferring of privileges and immunity to the East and Southern African Association of Accountants-General (ESAG) secretariat in Zambia pursuant to the Diplomatic and Privileges Act, Chapter 20 of the laws of Zambia.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR