Ministry welcomes ATI Bill
Still to be enacted
The Bill is set to boost Namibia's standing in areas of good governance, transparency and accountability as required for a functional democracy.
The information and communication ministry has welcomed the passing of the Access to Information (ATI) Bill by the National Council on Tuesday last week.
"The Bill aims to promote the public's free access to information from public institutions to make information proactively and readily available for the public," it said last week.
The Bill was tabled in the National Assembly in 2020 and is yet to be enacted into law.
The ministry highlighted that the Bill will cement Namibia's "standing in areas of good governance, transparency and accountability" for a functional democracy.
New office
As the custodian of information management for government, the ministry said it will be required to establish the office of the independent information commissioner.
"This will safeguard and promote the right to access information among the public through awareness campaigns and educational and training programmes for citizens," executive director Audrin Mathe said.
He urged public and private institutions to appoint information officers to facilitate information dissemination to the public, and to work closely with the office of the information commissioner.
"The Bill aims to promote the public's free access to information from public institutions to make information proactively and readily available for the public," it said last week.
The Bill was tabled in the National Assembly in 2020 and is yet to be enacted into law.
The ministry highlighted that the Bill will cement Namibia's "standing in areas of good governance, transparency and accountability" for a functional democracy.
New office
As the custodian of information management for government, the ministry said it will be required to establish the office of the independent information commissioner.
"This will safeguard and promote the right to access information among the public through awareness campaigns and educational and training programmes for citizens," executive director Audrin Mathe said.
He urged public and private institutions to appoint information officers to facilitate information dissemination to the public, and to work closely with the office of the information commissioner.
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Namibian Sun
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