US ENVOY URGES ZAMBIAN GOVT TO FULFILL ITS PLEDGE TO ENACT ATI BILL

US Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales has challenged the Zambian government to start working on its commitments and pledges on enacting the Access to Information Bill -ATI- into law.

Ambassador Gonzales says the action will benefit the country greatly as it will result in increased confidence, particularly among the foreign business sector which will in turn promote investment in the country.

Speaking last night during a public discussion on the Access to Information Bill, ambassador Gonzalez emphasized the need to avoid external influence in developing the content of the law saying it should be designed to suit the needs of Zambians.

Speaking at the same event, Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary in Charge of Legal, Mwenya Bwalya, said government remains committed to enacting the bill before the end of this year.

And Transparency International Zambia-TIZ- Executive Director Maurice Nyambe, says one of the biggest challenges Zambia faces is enacting the access to information bill into law, with successive governments giving lip service to this cause against the wishes of stakeholders.

PHOENIX NEWS