Harare (New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday piled pressure on legislators to clear all Bills that are pending from previous sessions of Parliament.
Officially opening the Second Session of the Tenth Parliament, President Mnangagwa said Parliamentarians have a responsibility to expedite the enactment of Bills.
“May I preface the legislative segment of my address by highlighting that Parliament has an obligation to expedite the enactment of all Bills that, for one reason or another, are outstanding from previous Sessions of the August House.
“The list includes Bills relating to Persons with Disabilities, Administration of Estates Amendment, Civil Aviation Amendment, Death Penalty Abolition, Parks and Wildlife Amendment, Private Voluntary Organisations Amendment, and Mines and Minerals Amendment. Others are the Medical Services Amendment and the Insurance and Pensions Amendment.
“The second category comprises Bills that came to life since my last address, but which Ministries never forwarded to Parliament. I should not first name you. I also challenge Parliamentary Portfolio Committees to be seized with the business of Bills that fall under their respective purviews. All concerned parties must address these anomalies for the
collective good of our nation,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said as the transformation of the education sector gathers momentum, the introduction of the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council Bill is expected to enhance the efficiency and good corporate governance of the ZIMSEC Board.
“Likewise, the Teaching Professions Council Bill will regulate the conditions of service and produce a code of conduct for all teachers. Occupational Health and Safety is critical for the attainment of Vision 2030. The Occupational Safety and Health Bill should be expedited to
further align with international conventions to which Zimbabwe is a signatory,” he said.
Other Bills due to be considered by the Second Session of the Tenth Parliament include the State Service Pensions Bill which seeks to establish the State Service Pensions Fund, while the Public Service Act will be amended to align with the Constitution.
The Rural Electrification Fund Act, the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act and the Pipelines Act will also be amended to be in sync with present realities associated with the growth of the economy.
The Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill which is expected to harmonise the administrative functions of the Judiciary and the Executive in the registration process for foreign legal practitioners will also be considered during the session.
To enhance the fight against corruption, the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Bill should sail through this session, said President Mnangagwa, adding the drafting of the Electronic Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill should be speeded up.
Additional Bills include the Standards Bill, the Legal Metrology Bill, the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill and the Media Practitioners Bill.
A number of Protocols expected to be tabled for ratification during the Second Session of the Tenth Parliament include the Protocol Amending the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Amendment Protocol of 2005, the Lisbon Treaty to the Geneva Act as well as the Zimbabwe-Russia Cooperation Agreement.
“Under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements, the Compensation Committee has approved 94 claims for compensation. This demonstrates the Government’s commitment to fair and amicable resolution of matters with all partners.
“Peaceful coexistence in our region, the African continent and globally is an essential ingredient for sustainable socio-economic development. Through ongoing efforts, the domestication of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and the promulgation of the Biological Warfare Bill should be fast-tracked,” stated President Mnangagwa.
“I am confident that the laws enacted by this August House will remain pro-development and pro-people, strengthening the foundations of our society and entrenching the values of hard work, equality, justice and fairness,” he said.
New Ziana
