Information minister Emma Theofelus has confirmed that the information commissioner’s office will become fully operational by the end of the year.
Theofelus, in conversation with Namibian Sun last week, indicated that this is subject to the regulations governing the office being officially gazetted.
She said the regulations will be tabled in parliament before 21 March.
“We have passed the access to information law, but it’s not yet operational because the regulations have not yet been tabled in parliament. We are busy finalising the regulations … for the information commissioner to start operating,” Theofelus said.
Once operational, the office will be responsible for protecting and advocating for the public’s right to access government information.
It will also mandate public entities to compile and release annual reports, while private entities will be obligated to release information that may aid in the preservation of fundamental human rights.
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