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PARLIAMENT, which adjourned since December last year, resumes proceedings today with several notable changes in the House.
Following the resignation of former Defence Minister Geoffrey Mwamba, Edgar Lungu will take his position in the House as Mr Mwamba takes the back bench.
The House will also see Ngosa Simbyakula in the front seat as Home Affairs Minister after taking over from Mr Lungu.
In the session starting today, the House would among other Bills, consider the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill, the Service Commissions (Amendment) Bill and the Business Regulatory Bill.
During the previous sitting, Parliament sat for 48 days to consider and pass the 2014 National Budget, related Budget legislation as well as to approve the Supplementary Estimates for 2013.
The House also debated the motion of thanks to President Michael Sata’s address to the House and undertook the policy debate on the Budget presented by Minister of Finance, Alexander Chikwanda.
Mr Chikwanda unveiled the K42.68 billion National Budget for 2014, representing 30.7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, which was subsequently adopted before the adjournment.
In addition, members asked a total of 235 questions, both oral and written.
The House also debated one private member’s motion and three motions to adopt committee reports, including a select committee report to ratify ministerial appointments to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) Board.
There were 21 ministerial statements presented to the House to explain Government’s position on various matters of national interest, and nine annual reports from Government and quasi-Government institutions.
Parliament also heard 16 action-taken reports, which were laid on the table of the House.
The House further considered and passed 10 Government Bills.
During the session, the House received and welcomed six new MPs following by-elections held in Chipata Central, Kafulafuta, Mansa Central, Mkaika, Mkushi North and Solwezi East.
On a sad note, the House lost Katuba Constituency MMD MP and Deputy Minister of Health, Patrick Chikusu.
In moving the motion to adjourn, Vice-President Guy Scott was glad that all the tasks set before the House were successfully accomplished.
Times of Zambia
