Greenbelt Authority has underscored the importance of Access to Information Act in helping citizens track the implementation of public projects.
Speaking on Friday in Salima during a meeting with elected and community leaders in the district, the authority’s spokesperson Sam Majamanda said they wanted community members to know about the Act so they can ask for relevant information from duty-bearers.
“We have been engaging communities in the districts we are implementing mega farms. We were in Karonga, Nkhata Bay and now in Salima,” he said.
during the meeting
Majamanda also responded to concerns that the authority fails to provide information to the media and concerned citizens.
“There was a communication gap between community members and the authority, a situation which could improve with this engagement on the ATI. We spoke with traditional leaders regarding the same issue,” he said.
Salima District Council director of human resource and administration Grace Kamtande described the Act as “a very important tool” for sharing information with the public.
“When people do not have information, they start sharing unfounded rumours which could be avoided through providing correct information,” she said.
Kamtande expressed happiness with the authority’s initiative to sensitise leaders on the importance of complying with the Act.
In her presentation, Malawi Human Rights Commission chief human resource management officer Chimwemwe Maimba advised people that it is their right to request information under the Act.
“However, know that not all information can be shared as some classified information is for the country’s security,” he said.
