CSOs DEMAND EXPLANATION FROM GOVT ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION BILL

Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) have given President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and his government a seven days ultimatum to explains the inconsistencies that have hampered the tabling of Access to Information Bill during this sitting of Parliament.

Minister of Information and Civic Education Jappie Mhango in a statement last week said government has sent the bill back for drafting, saying it contained several errors which need to be ironed out before tabling.

The statement was in contrast with Mutharika remarks during the official opening of Parliament where he assured Malawians that the Bill is ready for tabling.

Issuing the statement, CSOs operating under the umbrella of Citizen Alliance expressed sadness over the U-turn made by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on bill, saying it’s unconstitutional.

The CSOs asked the government to come on the open and tell Malawians why the cabinet rejected the bill, saying the bill is for Malawians not the Journalists.

On his part, Martha Kwataine said it is embarrassing that the DPP government is contradicting itself on the bill.

“As CSO we fill that we have been cheated on the matter and it is now clear that DPP Government is taking Malawians for granted,”said Kwataine.

Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter Chairperson Thom Khanje also expressed sadness on the matter and he urged Malawians to push for the enactment of the bill.

Effort to talk to Mhango proved futile as his mobile went answered.