Human rights lobby groups worried over the delay to appoint commissioners in the National Children’s Commission
The NGO Coalition on Child Rights has called on the government to expedite the process of approval of submitted names who will serve as commissioners in the National Children’s Commission (NCC) to be established in the country.
Through a statement issued on Monday, the Coalition has expressed concerns regarding the purported stalemate in the appointment of commissioners for the newly created NCC, a development said to be delaying efforts to improve the children’s welfare.
The statement further states that the coalition acknowledges that the Commission has received reasonable funding from the National Budget in the previous fiscal year to facilitate its establishment.
Through a statement, the coalition further calls upon the office of the Speaker of Parliament to urgently move the Public Appointment Committee (PAC) of Parliament to meet to consider the confirmation of subjects who will serve as commissioners in the National Children’s Commission (NCC) to be established in the country.
Additionally, the coalition is encouraging the government to sustain the ongoing momentum by developing partners to support the National Children’s Commission with technical and financial resources.
However, speaking to Umunthu FM earlier, spokesperson in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Fred Simwaka pointed out that the Ministry already submitted the names to the office of President and Cabinet pending for President Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s approval.
The establishment of the NCC follows the passing of the National Children’s Commission Amendment Bill of 2019, in April last year. Once established, the commission will, among others, act as an umbrella body with focus on spearheading policies targeting the welfare of children in the country.
