A GROUP of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Livingstone have expressed happiness at the Government’s decision to halt the enforcement of the NGO Act until the Ministry of Justice puts in its input.
Over 24 CSOs in Livingstone last week petitioned the Government over the enforcement of the NGO Act which they described as oppressive and unjust because it would be infringing on their rights to perform their obligations as CSOs.
Nongovernmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) South-west coordinator Faith Simukoko said the CSOs in the tourist capital were happy that the Government had decided to listen to them.
Ms Simukoko however said the CSOs would be very happy if the Government totally repealed the NGO Act.
”As Livingstone CSOs we are happy that the Government has decided to halt the NGO Act. This is an achievement for us, but we want a total repeal of the Act.
We want the Government to seriously consider reviewing the whole Act,” Ms Simukoko said.
Ms Simukoko said the enactment of the Act was too quick and urged the ministry of justice to repealing the Act completely.
She said it was not in the interest of CSOs to be in conflict with the Government but to serve the nation through offering constructive checks and balances.
And Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Livingstone district coordinator Moses Sakala praised the Government for responding to the CSO’s cries.
Mr Sakala said the positive response from the State was a clear indication that the Government was willing to dialogue with the CSOs.
“That is the way to go when responding to the concerns and problems that people are faced with.
We want to see the new Act coming with recommendations that the CSOs have made, then we are going to say we have a listening government,” Mr Sakala said.
The Government had earlier put February 3, 2014 as a deadline for all CSOs in the country to register under the ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Development.
The issue however received wide rejection from CSOs stating that they were already registered under the Registrar of Societies and this pro0mpted the Ministry to halt the enforcement of the Act and later referred the piece of legislation to the Ministry of Justice.
Okay, so they can be forced to listen after-all. Good sign even on the mining issue in the parks, people continue piling pressure.
A listening government
I agree. listening govt
They had no option as NGOS flatly refused to register.Had they deregistered the NGOs,the repercussions would have been too ghastly to contemplate.
Chi Josias what the hell are you going on about? They have listened and that is all that matters. Now we need to dialogue with GRZ about approving mining in the Lower Zambezi. The government is in a hurry to create jobs, but we need to convince them that this cannot be done at the expense of the environment.
CSO’s though have to be regulated and the CSO Act has to be repealed to accomodate their needs.
CSO must be regulated.l am in this world of cso’s so l know how untransperant and uncountable they can be.