KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information Robert Morgan, says the Access to Information (ATI) Unit is undertaking pivotal initiatives aimed at elevating its services.

“There is an upgrade taking place, currently, of the ATI website, as well as aligning it to modern accessibility standards,” he indicated.

Morgan said the vision is to create a website through which all ATI requests can be submitted and tracked.

“This site is to be a precursor to the [upgrading of the] ATI Act, which is now before the Attorney General’s Department,” he informed.

The Minister was speaking during Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives.

Morgan noted that upgrading of the ATI Act, which was last revised in 2010, forms part of the Administration’s commitment “under the open-Government programme”.

The ATI Unit, which falls within the Information Division of the Office of the Prime Minister, leads and guides the implementation and administration of the Act, which was passed in June 2002.

It provides guidance and training for government bodies on how to interpret and administer the Act; identify and address difficult or problematic issues arising from the Act’s implementation; and provide policy recommendations on how best these challenges may be addressed.

The Unit is also tasked with monitoring the compliance levels of the various Ministries and Agencies with the Act and providing guidance and advice for the public and Government bodies.

Additionally, the Unit is responsible for educating the public on their rights and obligations under the legislation.

– JIS