Defiant Officers Face ATI Penalties Alone-Govt

The Ministry of Finance and National Planning will not provide a budget line to pay for penalties arising from non-compliance with the Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Paul Thole sounded this warning in Chipata during a training workshop for Heads of Departments and Deputy Heads of Departments.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary for Eastern Province, Dr. Lewis Mwape emphasized that public resources are intended for development and service delivery, not for settling avoidable penalties resulting from failure to comply with legal obligations.

He says compliance is not optional but it is a statutory requirement.

The law has designated the Human Rights Commission for oversight responsibilities under the Act and will enforce compliance measures, including imposing administrative penalties where institutions or responsible officers fail to meet their obligations.

The Heads of Departments, who currently serve as Interim Information Officers have been urged to take the training seriously and establish systems that facilitate efficient public access to information.

The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Information and Media and the Human Rights Commission, aims to enhance understanding and implementation of the law, which promotes transparency, accountability and citizen participation in governance.