Opinion | A borehole in the plan is not water in the village. The Access to Information Act gives residents a legal way to find out why.
Key takeaways
- Zambia’s Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023 gives citizens a legal route to request records from public authorities, subject to its provisions and exemptions.
- The Citizens’ Guide to the Auditor General’s 2025 report shows only 374 of 947 planned new boreholes were drilled, and K312,862 spent on allowances and fuel for 15 Muchinga boreholes that were never drilled.
- Under the Access to Information (General) Regulations, 2025, a request is made on Form I, submitted physically or electronically, with oral requests allowed in specified circumstances.
- Residents can ask for a project’s approved budget, expenditure records, contractor details, schedule and progress reports.
- A request establishes facts; it is not proof of wrongdoing, and records must be read in context.
A community may have a borehole included in its development plans, yet residents may still be waiting for water long after the project was expected to be completed. The gap between what was planned and what is delivered raises questions about funding, implementation and the reasons for delays. Zambia’s Access to Information Act No. 24 of 2023 gives citizens a legal means of seeking information that can help explain these gaps.
What the audit shows
The Citizens’ Guide to the Auditor General’s Report for the 2025 financial year records that K312,862 was spent on allowances and fuel for 15 boreholes in Muchinga Province, none of which was drilled. Nationally, only 374 of the 947 planned new boreholes were drilled. These figures highlight a difference between planned public services and actual delivery, making access to information important for understanding how projects are implemented.
For residents, the concern is practical. When a borehole is not drilled, the expected water supply remains unavailable. When a classroom block is unfinished, learners may continue studying in inadequate facilities. Understanding why these projects remain incomplete requires more than observation; it requires information about the decisions, resources and work involved.
“The right to access information is not reserved for journalists and researchers. Ordinary Zambians can use it to seek answers about projects in their wards and constituencies.”
Nathan Meleki, Contributor
What the law allows
The Access to Information Act provides a framework through which citizens can seek such information from public authorities and other bodies covered by the law, subject to its provisions and exemptions. Requests can help establish what was budgeted, how much was spent, which activities were undertaken and what remains outstanding. These records provide a basis for understanding project implementation without assuming that every delay indicates wrongdoing.
How to request information
Under the Access to Information Act and the Access to Information (General) Regulations, 2025, citizens can follow these steps:
- Identify the institution holding the information, such as the public authority responsible for the project.
- Complete Form I with the required details and a clear description of the information requested.
- Submit the request physically or electronically to the relevant information holder.
- Await a response within the period prescribed by law.
The law also provides for oral requests in specified circumstances.
A resident seeking information about an unfinished project could request its approved budget, expenditure records, contractor details, implementation schedule or progress reports. The information obtained can help the community compare the original plans with the work completed and seek clarification from the responsible authorities.
Information is not an accusation
However, access to information is not, by itself, proof of wrongdoing. Projects can face financial, administrative or technical challenges, and records must be considered in context. The purpose of a request is to establish the facts and understand the circumstances before drawing conclusions.
This is where the law connects public information to service delivery. Public expenditure is not only about the amount allocated or spent; it is also about the services intended to reach communities. Records can help residents understand the relationship between planned spending and actual outcomes, while giving them a clearer basis for engaging institutions responsible for implementation.
A right for every citizen
The right to access information is not reserved for journalists and researchers. Ordinary Zambians can use it to seek answers about projects in their wards and constituencies. When residents can obtain reliable records, discussions about public services can move beyond speculation towards specific questions about plans, expenditure and delivery.
Ultimately, the Access to Information Act provides a window through which citizens can better understand public affairs. Its value lies in enabling people to seek documented answers about decisions and projects that affect their lives. When communities can access information and engage authorities on the basis of evidence, they are better placed to understand public spending and contribute to accountability in service delivery.
Nathan Meleki is a contributor to The Zambian Economist. Views expressed are the author’s own.
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