FPI concerned with govt tactics to delay access to information bill

The Free Press Initiative (FPI) Zambia is concerned with government’s intention to take the Access to Information (ATI) Bill to all the 10 provinces of the country for further consultations.

FPI Zambia Founder Joan Chirwa says her organization holds the view that this is merely a tactic by the government to drag the enactment process of this important piece of legislation as enough consultation has already been done for over 20 years now.

Ms Chirwa says her organization does not understand why the ATI Bill should be treated differently from all other Bills that are simply tabled before the National Assembly for the prescribed processes to be taken before enactment.

He says FPI Zambia as part of the ATI Coalition formed to push for the enactment of the ATI Bill is worried with government’s intention.

Ms Chirwa states that taking the bill around the country will not only drain the State coffers, but also waste time because a lot has already been said and done on the bill and it’s time for it to be taken to Parliament for debate and eventually its enactment.

She says it’s high time the government realized the importance of enacting the Access to Information Bill by avoiding delaying tactics.