A sin to deny people information - SimataaNamibia intends to have the long-awaited Access to Information (ATI) law enacted by September 2017, said deputy minister of information communication and technology Stanley Simataa.
Simataa revealed this on Friday during a session on ‘Reflections: International Day for the Universal Access to Information’ in Windhoek.
In 2015 the general conference of United Nations Education Cultural and Scientific Organisation (Unesco) voted to designate 28 September each year as “International Day for the Universal Access to Information”.
Meanwhile, Simataa pointed out that government is eager to have the bill tabled in parliament early next year once principal approval has been granted by Cabinet.
He also highlighted that it is very unfortunate that the process to get this law in place has taken so long but that a number of issues needed to be debated.
“We could also benefit from some experiences other countries have gone through and use that experience to inform the process of developing our legislation,” he said.
According to Simataa realising the ATI law would mean government is meeting the principles of accountability and transparency.
Simataa also pointed out that access to information ultimately requires government to translate its legislation, including the ATI law, into all indigenous languages so that citizens understand what laws entail.
“We cannot as countries hold our people bondage by denying them access to information because if you don’t provide them access to information how do you liberate, how do you advance your citizens? You are not ... for me it is a serious drawback,” he said.
Open sesame
Advocate Pansy Tlakula, chairperson and special rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa - African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), said there is indeed real political will from the Namibian government to realise this legislation.
However, she cautioned that hard work begins with implementation and changing the culture of secrecy of government officials.
She also argued that it would be a difficult task for government institutions to get its house in order and getting its record keeping and management is improved.
“Because where the records are not properly kept or managed it would be very difficult for government officials to give information to the public,” she cautioned.
Tlakula also suggested that government should establish an independent oversight body with real enforcement powers which only answers to parliament, where the public that has been denied information can report their grievances.
Furthermore, she added that an access to information law promotes transparency and improves governance because government must share its plans with the public.