SPEAKER of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda has called on legislators to urgently introduce and pass the Devolution Bill to enable Provincial Councils to start operating.
Mudenda made the remarks during Parliament’s sitting last after Chikanga-Dangamvura MP Prosper Mutseyami expressed concern over delays in the swearing-in of members of the Provincial Councils.
“Sometime last year before Christmas, I raised a point of national importance in this House with regards to the Provincial Councils which went through an election and were declared as winners, but up to date, they have not been sworn in, nor have they started their duties.”
Mutseyami added, “ That office has a clear reference in our Constitution, but there is no instrument or Act to enable them to start doing their duties. With your indulgence, Hon. Speaker Sir, you referred this issue to be taken up by the government chief whip whereby you advised that the Ministry of Local Government, in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs, have to come up with an enabling Act so that this committee will start work, but up to date, no work.”
In response, Mudenda said following the amendment of the Constitution to remove MPs from being part of the Provincial Councils, the next step is to pass an enabling Act.
“We thought that was very unwieldy and the Constitution has been amended accordingly to remove Members of Parliament from the Provincial Councils so that they could exercise oversight accordingly.
“What remains now is to have the Bill as you rightly say Hon. Mutseyami, before Parliament here, so that the Act is enacted and the Provincial Councils begin to work. We need that Bill so that the Provincial Councils are operational,” said Mudenda.
He assured legislators that he will liaise with the Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs, and his Local Government counterpart as well as the Attorney-General to ensure the matter is treated with urgency.
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