RB to open Parliament

Through his key note speech, President Banda is expected to give direction on both the economic, social and political fronts of the country.

On the economic sphere, President Banda is expected to explain the modalities that would enable Zambia attain a growth of 6.6 per cent this year as projected by secretary to the Treasury Likolo Ndalamei.

In his 2011 to 2013 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Mr Ndalamei said the Government decided to revise upwards the country’s growth rate to 6.6 per cent owing to the bumper harvest the nation recorded in the previous season as well as the booming mining sector.

Zambia, for the first time in many years recorded the largest maize harvest of 2.7 million tonnes compared to the 1.8 million of the previous farming season.

With such a bumper harvest, growth in the agriculture sector was projected at 7.7 per cent which was 5.7 percentage points higher than the initial forecasts.

Additionally, the mining sector has recorded an improvement following the reopening of some mines particularly in the North-Western Province.

When President Banda assumed office in 2008,because of the death of president Levy Mwanawasa, many mining firms were on their knees and it had to take bold decisions to ensure they remained afloat.

The situation in Zambia was exacerbated by the global economic recessions which threatened job security for many Zambians but with the bold decisions President Banda made, 2000 jobs were projected to be created in the mining sector.

With the flourishing agriculture sector as well as the booming mining industry, President Banda should highlight the measures he would put in place to ensure Zambia’s economy was not to be at risk.

On the political front, the president is expected to talk about next year’s elections as well as the Constitution making process.

The National Constitution Conference (NCC) last month presented its Draft Constitution to Justice Minister George Kunda and President Banda is today expected to chart the way forward over the NCC.

The president is also expected to shed some light on the preparations for next year’s elections. Zambians would be going to the polls next year and as such preparations ought to start now.

He might also talk about the impending by-elections in Mpulungu, Chilanga and Kafulafuta if the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) George Mpombo does not contest his expulsion from the MMD like his counterpart Ng’andu Magande has done.

Mr Magande and Mr Mpombo have been expelled from the MMD following their attacks on the ruling party and its leadership. The Mpulungu by-election has been occasioned by the death of Lameck Chibombamilimo who was an MMD MP.

New entrant to House would be Chifubu MP Susan Kawandami of the PF. Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) president Charles Milupi would return to the House after recapturing his Luena seat.

Mr Milupi resigned as an independent MP to form the ADD and recontested the seat on its ticket and won the polls.

Debates in this session shall be centred on the thanks motion to the President’s speech thereby laying a ground for Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane to present the 2011 national Budget.

Following the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, National Assembly Bill No 22 of 2009, it is now a requirement that the Budget is presented during the last quarter of the year so that its implementation takes effect from January 1st to December 31st.

[ Times of Zambia ]