.SATA

By XAVIER MANCHISHI –

PRESIDENT Michael Sata is today expected to officially open the Fourth Session of the 11th National Assembly which adjourned sine die on July 23, 2014.
As per tradition, Mr Sata will use his ceremonial official opening speech to set out Government’s policy priorities for the coming year.
According to a statement from parliamentary media liaison officer Mathew Mukelabai, MPs will thereafter be accorded the opportunity to debate the policy statements contained in the President’s speech.
Six new MPs will take their oath of allegiance following their respective victories during by-elections that took place in August and September.
The six include four from the Patriotic Front – Margaret Miti (Vubwi), Christabel Ngimbu (Zambezi West), Davis Chisopa (Mkushi South) and Rodgers Lingweshi of Mangango.
Others are United Party for National Development (UPND)’s Dawson Kafwaya of Solwezi Central and the MMD’s Victoria Kalima who retained her Kasenengwa seat.
During this session, Parliament will also witness the 2015 Budget presentation by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda.
The House will also pass a number of Budget-related legislation to authorise the Executive arm of Government to spend the 2015 Budget and to operationalise Government policy statements.
The Bills to be passed include the Appropriation Bill, Customs and Excise Amendment Bill, Income Tax Amendment Bill, Property Transfer Tax Amendment Bill and the Value Added Tax Amendment Bill.
During the last meeting which started its meetings on June 17, 2014, and sat for 21 days, the main business for the House was the consideration of various reports of parliamentary committees.
A total of 275 questions for oral answers and questions for written answers were transacted during the last meeting, which also saw 19 motions being debated to adopt annual parliamentary committee reports as well as three select committee reports and one private members’ motion.
In addition, nine ministerial statements were made while 42 papers comprising 19 annual parliamentary committee reports, three select committee reports and 20 annual reports from the Government and quasi-Government institutions were laid on the table of the House.
At the end of the last meeting, the House passed three Government
Bills, including the 2011 Excess Expenditure Appropriation Bill, the 2012 Supplementary Appropriation Bill and the Zambia Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and also provided for its powers and functions.