9th March 2022
| The Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon Nelly Mutti, MP before proceeding, acquitted the house with the background information on the point of order PAC commences sitting on 28th February 2022 to consider the report of the Auditor-General on the audit report of the utilization of COVID-19 funds from July 2021 to October 2021. The DMMU was summoned to appear before PAC to provide clarity on some of the irregularities raised in the AG report. Since some of the queries were not clarified by the DMMU representatives, the committee resolved that the contractors who supplied the material should be requested to accompany the DMMU representatives when they appear before PAC. It is in this regard that Mr. Mula MP raised a point of order. Speaker of the National Assembly Mrs. Mutti ordered Mr. Mula and any other member of PAC to state and declare any direct interest to the committee or assembly before committing to avoid conflict of interests. The member of the committee should not be precluded from the committee but should not take part in instances where voting should take place or when questioning the summoned contractors by PAC. |
| The honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation was permitted by the Madam Speaker of National Assembly, Rt. Hon Mutti to give a point of order clarifying matters of how the government of the Republic of Zambia voted at the UN conflict resolution. On 22nd March 2022, Zambia was among the 141 countries to vote in favor of the UN resolution to demand a cessation of armed conflict in Ukraine under the quote ‘Aggression Against Ukraine’. Zambia voted yes with the following agreements Reaffirming commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and the territorial integrity of the country of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and extending to its territorial waters. The demand for all parties concerned to allow for unhindered access to humanitarian assistance and the respect of human rights. The demand for all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law to spare the civilian population and civilian objects, indispensable to the survival of the civilian population. Also respecting and protecting humanitarian personnel and consignment used for humanitarian relief operations. The resolution was edging for the immediate and peaceful resolution of the conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine through political dialogue, negotiations, mediations, and other peaceful means. The obligation of the nation was to ensure that it upholds the UN charter of which it has been a member for a long time. |
10th March 2022
| Public Account Committee Ministry of Health- Witness for the Item concerning the supply of ventilators. Honorable Walumwayi asked the Ministry of Health why some officers were confirmed to have been trained on how to handle ventilators while others were not trained? He also wanted clarification on whether the ministry confronted the suppliers after discovering that the ventilators were faulty. The Ministry of the Health through the current PS alluded that the issue of corruption affected the training of officers and use of ventilators whose operation was not known. The committee asked the ministry when the ventilators were delivered at the hospital as the logbook indicted 2021 while the suppliers reported that they delivered the ventilators in 2020. The PS for the Ministry of Health answered that there is a possibility that Some ventilators were given to the ministry as donations by donors. Hence the faulty ventilators would have been supplied by the suppliers or the donors. The PAC concluded that: The officers who were supposed to handle the ventilators were not trained. Which makes it unethical for the ministry to start using machines they do not understand. The ventilators were stored at the hospital for nine months before usage. The chief planner checked the equipment for specifications and carried out the self-tests which confirmed that they were ready for usage. The equipment needed sensors after they had already started being used in the hospital. |
11th March 2022
| National Address on the Progress Made in the Application of National Values and Principles by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema. According to the speech delivered by his excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, the following progress has been made for the period under review. The government has continued to implement the national alcohol policy through sensitization of citizens on the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse. The government is also providing rehabilitation services that are available in provincial hospitals, as well as in public and private institutions in selected districts. Effectively enforce the Cannabis Act No.33 of 2021 and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act NO.35 of 2021 legislations. Government is determined to enforce laws that protect citizens from the abuse of social media platforms and “ICT” To stop child marriages and teenage pregnancies, the government has partnered with traditional and civic leaders, the church and civil society organizations to sensitize communities on the dangers of child marriages and teenage pregnancies. The government is implementing the school reentry policy and keeping girls in the school programs. Enforce laws and bring to book those who marry/marry off teenage girls. The government has continued to sensitize public service workers on codes of ethics and conduct. To promote the consumption of locally produced goods and services, the government will promote and strengthen initiatives aimed at increasing the use of local inputs in various processes and production value chains. The government will uphold the rule of law and accord, everyone, equal treatment in line with the law and our national values and principles. Respect the autonomy of the executive, legislature, and judiciary in carrying out their respective constitutional mandates. The government will undertake necessary measures to gather and build consensus with all stakeholders on giving a constitution that reflects shared and cherished aspirations as a people such as lobbying against costly, time-consuming, and disruptive elections. Work with people and other stakeholders, to amend the Public Order Act in line with Zambia’s democratic tenets. To uplift the livelihood of citizens and build the economy, more effort will be placed on creating opportunities and a conducive environment for increased productivity. The new dawn administration will review, realign, and add new youth empowerment programs to make them more relevant, viable, and sustainable. Opportunities for access to land, mining licenses, timber licenses, and contracts for goods and services will be expanded. The government is constructing public infrastructure in all parts of the country to bring public services closer to the people and address the development inequalities between rural and urban areas. Rural connectivity, transportation, access to electricity, among others. Projects have been initiated and once commissioned, more Zambian people in peri-urban and rural areas will have access to markets, access to electricity, and ease of doing business will improve. In fighting against corruption strengthening the rule of law and ensuring prudence in the utilization of public resources, the government has established the financial and Economic crimes court to expedite the disposal of cases. The government has put in place measures to seal leakages in the procurement of goods and services in the public sector. To combat climate change, the government will continue to promote the utilization of climate-smart agriculture technologies and practices by our farmers, planting of trees, and sustainable waste management. |