Our survival depends on transparency - Privatisation Unit

The Privatisation Unit has a very open door policy, Information Officer, Mr. Makalo Nts'asa has said, refuting accusations that the Unit lacks transparency. Not only is he available to answer queries the public might have but also that a website was launched in March 2003, accessible to all, with all the information about their activities.

In a statement send to the media on January 28, the Unit said its Information Officer, whose role is to ensure that the public and any other interested organisations get whatever information they request including an explanation of the whole restructuring policy adopted by the Government of Lesotho, has been in place since establishment of the Unit in 1995.

 The Privatisation Unit publishes Annual Reports that detail activities for the year which are sent to organisations within the private and government sectors including educational institutions, both Houses of Parliament, members of Urban Boards, the Foreign Service and the media. The latest Annual Report on the implementation of the Lesotho Utilities Sector Reform Project will be available by the end of February 2004.

 The statement said articles and press releases are released regularly to the newspapers whenever major events take place relating to the restructuring of the economy.   Talk shows have also been organised with local radio stations to afford the public opportunity to engage in debate and seek clarification on the restructuring programme. 

The Privatisation Unit is already making preparations to implement public awareness strategies for the year 2004 and interested organisations and educational institutions are invited to send in requests for the Unit to deliver presentations on developments that have taken place on the Restructuring of the Economy so far. 

The statement said so far the usual response has been for ministries, parastatals and the private sector to delegate junior officers who are not capable of making meaningful contributions, to the presentations by the Unit.

29 January 2004