8th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture
Module 3: Law of good governance
The project of democratic government will be fundamentally
undermined if the state is prone to corrupt and inefficient government.
The 1996 Constitution has thus made good governance part and parcel of
a system of open and accountable government. Good governance is a
multi-faceted approach to government, which includes at least, a proper
system of procurement, a transparent system of government; and just
administration.
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Section 217 requires a system of state procurement of goods and
services that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and
cost-effectiveness. A proper legal framework over procurement is an
essential component of prudent and honest financial management.
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Section 32 entitles everyone to have access to information held by the
state and the Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000
establishes the framework for such access.
Section 33 entitles everyone to administrative action that is lawful,
reasonable and procedurally fair. The Promotion of Administrative
Justice Act of 2000 has elaborated this right. While administrative law
is dealt with at undergraduate level, selected aspects of this wide and
challenging field of law are dealt with.