Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has warned ministers against reporting late to the House after tea-break.
Dr Matibini said he is dismayed with the tendency as it is painting a bad picture of Government.
He said ministers should lead by example by reporting back to the House earlier than backbenchers, and not the other way round.
The Speaker made this ruling after a point of order raised by Mkushi South member of Parliament (MP) Sydney Chisanga (MMD).
Mr Chisanga wanted to know whether ministers are in order to report back late for parliamentary business after tea-break.
This was after ministers and other MPs were absent after the 16:15 hours to 16:30 hours tea-break.The Speaker said the point of order was timely as he has been observing the MPs for a long time now.Dr Matibini said it is not in order for him to wait for MPs after the break.He said it should be MPs to wait for the Speaker so that he can resume deliberations after tea-break.
“My ruling on this point of order is that ministers and indeed all MPs are not supposed to be outside the House when it is in session.They are not in order to do so and I’m not going to allow any member to be drinking tea when I am here seated listening to the deliberations,” he said.
Dr Matibini said the tendency to report back late not only by ministers but all MPs is against parliamentary proceedings.He said it is weakening the debate in the House, adding that the tendency should come to an end.
“I expect this tendency to come to an end now that I have sounded this warning,” he said.
Meanwhile, the House yesterday heard that Government needs about US$76 million to revamp the Mulobezi railway line.Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Andrew Mwali said this in response to a question from Mulobezi MP Hastings Sililo.
This was during questions for oral answer.
Mr Sililo wanted to know the owners of the Mulobezi railway line and whether Government is aware the railway line is dangerous to the travelling public.Dr Mwali said Government owns the Mulobezi railway line and is supervised by Zambia Railways.
He said Government is aware of the deplorable state of the railway line and has since engaged Zambia Railways so that some wagons and passenger trains can be re-deployed back on that line.
Dr Mwali said Government is looking at public private partnership to rehabilitate the railway line.
[Daily Mail]
Toothless speaker with ridiculous head dress
Mr speaker sir, u are a leader of a house filled with alot of uneducated chaps, and many go to parliament to drink that tea you want them to drink in a hurry,others like GBM(Good Banda Moved) are obess and just sleep in parliament so this should not bother you sir, let people come at will like classess at UNZA
what’s obess????????????????????????????????
Government of CNPs for CNPs period.
If my workers comes late, I don’t need a fellow worker to ask me if its right or not. This should that PF ministers’ balls weight heavy than the speaker. Someone must be fired.
Time mangement is directly proportion to the amount of productivity and effective man-hours….how do u expect high productivity& motivate public service &workers with such caliber and attitude of ministers????me management is so important,even 2minutes can go a long way ,try it when you are driving on a straight stretch,Kapiri-Ndola see how critical and how far it can take u..More effective &critical at busy airports like heathrow-UK &JFK-USA. So, to develop Zambia, It’s time we become serious with everything from laws, education,SERVICE DELIVERY, leadership to social-economic development if zambia has to not only change but transformed…What foot print, what Legacy would H.E SATA Leave for Zambia. He has the chance!!! “Z”bia ‘s emancipation to being Producer thru EDUCATION
Meant Time management….not me
You guys do not embarrass us, am talking about these Ministers who come to Parliament late. Please do not drag the name of PF in the mud.
I really need to write in Bemba, am so bad in English, people might mistake for a PF minister.
bemba is a wonderful language it brings sweet melody to my ears, wouldn’t it be great if we all spoke and wrote in bemba on Zambian websites? I see nothing wrong with that koz am proud of being a bemba!!
English is just a second language even 3rd or 4th for some of us..
– Ich spreche Deutsch
– Ik spreek Nederlands
– Túrce Konusuyorum
– Parlo Italiano
– je parle le francais
japanese & hebrew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the true color of pf
Zambia has no parliament. Shouting ‘Bamalukula’ is what you call debate?
In Zimbabwe’s parliament, lawmakers belonging to a panel on health issues set up an HIV/AIDS testing and male circumcision center and said 20 legislators underwent the surgery on Friday.
Indiscipline at its best!!
Time management among Zambians and Africans in general is abysmal. It shows lack of respect and seriousness and is a scourge every one must fight against. It contributes to underdevelopment and poverty. We can all make a difference. Even within social interactions, we should be aiming to uphold the time arrangements we make with other people.
it shameful for the speaker to bee reminded of what he shud have done along time ago.the biggest problem is when one align himself to one party it is difficult to take action
Ok UPND MP’s keep time so what.. Good observation by that MMD MP..Keep it up..
PF ministers are drunkards and chain smookers, a good exapmle Dr. Katema, Community Devpt. Even his office stinks kachasu and Balani, limbi no bwangula . Can such a person keep time really, atawachula pafula.
africans and keeping time, tss tss…