The National Assembly of Zambia held its first ever knowledge exchange workshop which brought together current and former presiding officers including the Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and the former Speaker of Uganda.
The workshop which was organised under the auspices of the newly established Institute for Parliamentary Studies and Training (IPST), was aimed at sharing experiences among current and former presiding officers to ensure effective and efficient conduct of business in Parliament.
The presiding officers included; Speaker Ms. Nelly B. K Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA, First Deputy Speaker, Malungo Attractor Chisangano, Second Deputy Speaker Hon. Moses Moyo, the Clerk of the National Assembly of Zambia Mr. Roy Ngulube and Deputy Clerks among others.
Former presiding officers including; Former Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Honourable Justice Dr. Patrick Matibini, SC, Honourable Chifumu Banda, SC, Former Deputy Chairperson of Committee of the Whole House and Honourable Ernest Mwansa, SC, Former Deputy Chairperson of Committee of the Whole House and former Clerk Mrs. Doris Katai Mwiinga attended the workshop.
The International resource persons included; Honourable Jacob F Mudenda, Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe and Honourable Rebecca Kadaga, Former Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda.
Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, Republican Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, commended Speaker Mutti for her visionary and exemplary leadership at the National Assembly of Zambia.
“Under her leadership, we have continued to see progressive reforms that will undoubtedly contribute to efficient and effective management of the National Assembly. These achievements, I must quickly mention, build on the cumulative efforts of her predecessors,” the Vice President said.
She said it was gratifying to note that the establishment of the Institute for Parliamentary Studies and Training, is part of the National Assembly of Zambia’s reform programme and resonates well with the objectives of the Government.
The Vice President welcomed the workshop as it would help ensure the effective conduct of Government business in the National Assembly.
She said that while it is in the Executive’s interest to ensure that Government business is transacted efficiently in Parliament, the Executive respects and upholds the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of Government.
During the same occasion, Speaker Mutti said that the initiative was National Assembly of Zambia’s long-term measure to provide capacity building opportunities and ensure structured training outcomes for all Members, including Presiding Officers and staff of Parliament.
Speaker Mutti said that Presiding officers were entrusted with the sacred duty of upholding the principles of order, decorum and impartiality, ensuring that debates remain robust, yet, respectful, and that all voices are heard, regardless of political affiliations or persuasions.
Speaker Mutti expressed gratitude to former Speaker Dr Patrick Matibini, SC for accepting the invitation to share his personal experiences as Speaker at the workshop.
And Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Roy Ngulube thanked the Acting UN Resident Coordinator, Dr Tharcisse Barihuta and other cooperating partners for attending the official opening of the workshop.
Mr. Ngulube acknowledged, that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been coordinating support from various cooperating partners towards the “Democracy Strengthening in Zambia Project”. Through this project, the National Assembly of Zambia has received various forms of support, including for this workshop.
