Republican Vice President Guy Scott has reiterated government’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the civil society organizations in the country over concerns raised on the NGO ACT.
Some civil society organizations in the country which include the TIZ, SACCORD and FODEP have maintained that they will not register under the NGO ACT until government reviews the legislation which they have described as being oppressive.
During his question time this morning, Dr. Scott has told Parliament that the PF government is very happy to meet civil society organizations over the concerns raise on ACT and to consider the way forward.
The vice president was responding to a question by UPND Bweengwa Member of Parliament Highvie Hamududu who wanted to know wanted to know what the position of government is on the concerns that the civil society organizations have raised on the NGO ACT.
Dr. Scott has also dismissed allegations by some NGOs that have been reported to be going to some European countries such as Sweden where they are allegedly portraying the PF as being wicked because it allegedly wants to reign in the NGOs.
Dr. Scott says such allegations are not true and not fair because Zambia is highly dependent upon NGOs as they have been complementing government’s work in disaster mitigation in every District of the country through the Memorandum of Understandings that they have signed with government.
The vice President however says what the PF government does not want to see is a situation some people start to pursue political agendas under the guise of NGOs.
if nevers mumba who is in opposition can have the courage to apologize when he errs, what more you in govt.
just swallow your pride and apologize for that draconian act and stop it. period.
make things right when you are still popular and still have the peoples goodwill.
the time is now for you to listen to us the people….
So far 112 civil society organisations based in 46 countries are deeply concerned by the PF government’s decision to operationalize the controversial 2009 NGO Act.The Act provides for mandatory registration of all NGOs within 30 days of their formation or adoption of their constitution.Failure to do so can invite a fine and imprisonment up to 3 years.The question is.Why should failing to register, maybe due to lack of the capacity to fulfill various requirements be deemed illegal? This clearly indicates that the Act provides for denial of registration in the ‘public interest’,which is not defined leaving scope for the exercise of excessive executive discretion.NGOs play a very important role for the nation.PF has forgotten its 2011 election promises.