The Parliamentary Committee on media, information and communication has engaged the MBS on the status of the implementation of the Access to Information Act (ATI). The committee led by its Chairperson Hon Suzan Dosi visited the MBS Head Offices in Blantyre today where they had interface with MBS officials.
The Committee’s visit was aimed at appreciating the activities that the MBS has been undertaking in compliance with ATI. In his welcoming remarks the Director of the MBS Dr Bernard Thole appreciated the coming of the members of the committee to appreciate the activities of the MBS in relation to compliance to ATI guidelines and requirements.
The Director General then presented an overview of the MBS and broader picture on the status of the implementation of ATI.
Dr Thole, highlighted the significant strides that the institution has achieved in operationalization of the Act. He further assured the committee that the MBS as statutory institution is obliged to always abide by all relevant legislative frameworks of the country passed by parliament including ATI.
Speaking earlier, Members of the committee while made some observations on areas where the institution needs to improve so that it is among well performing institutions in operationalization of the ATI, the members expressed their satisfaction on important strides that the MBS has done and accomplished to ensure that ATI is embraced.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the committee, Hon Suzan Dosi thanked the MBS management on efforts taken and systems put in place in the operationalization of the ATI. She said that what the MBS is doing to ensure that the institution is complying with ATI guidelines, is a testimony of the MBS commitment to dictates of good corporate governance. She then encouraged the MBS Management to continue the good work in relation to operationalization of the ATI.
The committee visit is part of the ongoing oversight role that the Parliament is mandated to do. The ATI Act provides for the right of access to information in the custody of public bodies and relevant private bodies; the processes and procedures related to obtaining that information; and put to pr0vide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The ATI Act was passed in parliament on 14th December, 2016 and it was assented by the President on 10th February, 2017. The ATI became operational on 30th September, 2020. The MBS has Acting Director of Finance Mr Bright Dzoole and Mrs Elizabeth Kunje, the Deputy Director of Standards Development heading Food and Agriculture division as the designated information officers.