By Mary Sichali

Karonga, November 15, Mana: The Greenbelt Authority (GBA) has pledged to be an open institution to facilitate transparency and accountability.

The Authority's Public Relations Officer, Sam Majamanda, said this in Karonga during an engagement meeting Thurday with community members surrounding Nthora Ilola Irrrigation Scheme and officials from Karonga district council on the Access to Information Act.

"We want to inform stakeholders about the Access to Information Act and assure them that GBA abides to what the law requires.”

"Where there's lack of information, there's room for speculations and misunderstandings. GBA aims to build a good relationship with the public, the community we serve and other stakeholders," Majamanda said

Sub Traditional Authority Mwangolera hailed GBA for engaging with the public and its affirmation to be cooperative in the provision of information.

"GBA has now opened up to the public which is very important to keep them informed. As traditional leaders we will play our role to ensure this is fully embraced," said Mwangolera.

President for Water User Association (WUA) for Nthora Ilola Irrigation, Scheme Bitoni Maghunda Mwalweni, said the engagement meeting was eye opening for them to know what is expected of both parties.

"At first we did not know about our right to access information but we now know what to do. We will not keep this information to ourselves, an initiative to sensitive our fellow stakeholders will be taken," said Mwalweni.