The First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Honourable Malungo Attractor Chisangano, MP, has called on Parliamentarians to use their representative role to disseminate information on the effects and impact of Climate Change. 

She said this in Yaounde, Cameroon when seconding the motion on “The Devastating Impacts of Climate Change: A Call for more Parliamentary Interventions”. The motion was moved by Honourable Mary Muyali Boya Meboka, MP, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon on 18th July, 2023 at the ongoing 18th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) Africa Region, held from 13th to 22nd July, 2023. 

The Deputy Speaker added that while efforts are being made on finding workable solutions to mitigate the effects of Climate Change at a higher level, there are information gaps on the issue at the grass root level, hence the need for parliamentarians to take a leading role in raising awareness on the devastating effects of Climate Change in their constituencies so that meaningful results can begin to be seen. 

Hon Chisangano reiterated that it is disturbing to see that while efforts are being made at a higher level to plant trees as a mitigation measure, forests are being depleted by the indiscriminate cutting down of trees for socio-economic activities at the grass root level. She stated that if this is not checked, the efforts being made towards mitigating the impact of Climate Change will not yield the expected results.

She therefore, implored parliamentarians to use their oversight role to ensure that there is prudent utilisation of all resources allocated for Climate Change mitigation measures. 

Hon Chisangano also appreciated the initiative of bringing Speakers and Presiding Officers together as it provides a platform for sharing ideas and experiences to collectively find solutions to the effects of Climate Change. She, therefore, called on all her fellow Presiding Officers to encourage Members of Parliament to introduce Private Members’ Motions that are aimed at addressing the challenges posed by Climate Change. 

Earlier, in moving the Motion Honourable Mary Muyali Boya Meboka, MP, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon, called on Commonwealth Parliaments in Africa to work together in dealing with issues of Climate Change as they have potential to trigger conflicts among nations. She stated that Climate Change may lead to shrinking of water bodies and countries separated by such water bodies may come into conflict with each other in the fight for water rights.  

The 18th CSPOC that was held under the theme “African Parliaments and Agenda 2030” was officially opened on 18th July 2023 by Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister and Leader of Government as special and official representative of the President of the Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency Paul Biya. 

The First Deputy Speaker’s delegation to the 18th CSPOC included, Mrs Chrizoster Halwiindi-Phiri, MP, Mrs Cecilia Sikatele-Mambwe, Deputy Clerk (Procedure) and staff from the National Assembly of Zambia