THE Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has praised Government for showing commitment to the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process in Zambia.

JCTR faith and justice programme officer Kizito Chalwe said the Government had exhibited commitment by providing the necessary support and resources towards realising its objectives.

APRM is a mutually agreed programme, voluntarily adopted by the memberstates of the African Union to promote high standards of governance. It is a self-monitoring mechanism.

Mr Kizito said during a meeting on January 21, this year, Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba stated that APRM fitted well with the Patriotic Front aspirations on democratic governance.

"Therefore, as civil society organisations keen on promoting good governance in Zambia, we commit ourselves to engaging the Government in implementing APRM-related activities to all parts of the country," Mr Chalwe said.

He said in a statement in Lusaka that the civil society had been involved in the APRM process since 2006 when Zambia acceded to the process in Khartoum, Sudan.

"Zambia is scheduled to be peer-reviewed this time around and as civil society, we are optimistic Mr Kabimba would provide the required leadership and political will to deliver Zambia's APRM process," he said.

Mr Chalwe said this would require Government and other stakeholders to get involved and collaborate adequately in addressing the recommendations from the Heads of State.

He called on members of Parliament to get involved in the process and sensitise their constituencies on the significance of the APRM.

He made a similar call to the media to provide sensitisation on the implementation of the APRM.

"This process needs input from every concerned citizen for purposes of legitimacy and monitoring of progress," he said.