Windhoek: Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has attributed the delays in appointing the Information Commissioner to bureaucratic processes and administrative preparations. These delays have been identified as factors hindering the implementation of the Access to Information Act of 2022.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the minister provided an update on the appointment process during a meeting with media editors, where concerns were raised about the delayed appointment of the information commissioner and deputy commissioner. Theofelus explained that consultations with both state and non-state actors are ongoing, and the selection committee has yet to advertise the vacancies for the commissioner and deputy commissioner roles.

Theofelus urged patience, stating, "So please bear with us until that process is complete. But the commitment is there. The law is in place. The regulations are in place." She also mentioned that the ministry has taken proactive steps to ensure the office is operational once established, including procuring necessary resources such as vehicles for mobility.

However, she cautioned against the premature launch of the office without addressing administrative requirements, which could lead to ineffectiveness. Toivo Ndjebela, chairperson of the Editors' Forum of Namibia, praised the ministry for involving the media in legislative processes but expressed concerns about the ongoing delays in making the office functional.

The Access to Information Act, enacted in 2022, mandates the creation of the office of the information commissioner to manage the implementation and compliance of the Act and resolve related disputes. Minister Theofelus emphasized that the absence of the commissioner should not deter government public relations officers from being proactive in disseminating information to the media.

Theofelus highlighted that, as a minister and government spokesperson, she often fields inquiries from journalists about developments in other ministries due to the unavailability of responses from designated offices, despite her primary focus being on her own ministry's affairs.