Gov’t companies instructed to appoint information officers
PCB explained that the creation of a separate email address is intended to ensure that all Right to Information (RTI) requests and related correspondence submitted to a company remain centrally accessible, even if there is a change in the individual holding the Information Officer position.
Ceremony for the formal appointment of the new SOEs Chairman, Managing Director, Executive Directors, and Non-Executive Directors.
The Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) has issued a directive instructing government-owned companies and companies in which the state holds shares to appoint Information Officers, in a move aimed at ensuring these entities meet their obligation to provide information requested by the public.
The directive was issued on Tuesday and applies not only to government companies and state-majority-owned companies, but also to their subsidiaries.
According to the directive, companies are required to appoint Information Officers as determined by their respective Boards of Directors. These officers will be responsible for providing information to the public and the media and for fulfilling obligations to disclose information requested by various parties.
In outlining the required qualifications for the role, the Board emphasized that appointed individuals should have legal experience or be well acquainted with the Right to Information Act. The directive also instructs companies to establish a dedicated email address specifically for the Information Officer.
PCB explained that the creation of a separate email address is intended to ensure that all Right to Information (RTI) requests and related correspondence submitted to a company remain centrally accessible, even if there is a change in the individual holding the Information Officer position.
PCB further stated that details of the appointed Information Officers must be made publicly available on each company’s website. The circular specifies that the email address designated for submitting RTI requests, along with the Information Officer’s contact number, must be clearly displayed on the website.
PCB also reminded companies that compliance with directives issued by PCB is mandatory under the Law on Privatization, Corporatization, Monitoring, and Evaluation of State-Owned Enterprises, and reiterated that all relevant companies are obligated to adhere to these requirements.
