By JOHN SAKALA
First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala says Parliaments remain critical in fostering national and regional security.
Ms Namugala said Parliament as a legislative arm of government is an important platform in achieving sustained political stability in Africa.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 49th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) – Africa in Gaborone, Botswana, Ms. Namugala said there was need for sufficient legislation in ensuring issues of food, political and defence security are adequately addressed.
She explained that the Zambian Parliament will continue identifying capacity building legislation that will swiftly respond to increasing security challenges such human trafficking, narcotics and gender based violence.
“Our lawmakers have a duty to legislate, to strengthen legislation or to enact new legislation to ensure peace and security. For instance the issue of human trafficking, there is need to strengthen the laws within Parliament so that the legislation is sufficient to deal with perpetrators” she said.
Meanwhile Zambia’s Clerk of the National Assembly Cecilia Mbewe has been elected Chairperson of the Society of Clerks at the Table (SoCATT).
The SoCATT Africa region is aimed at improving the capacity of Parliaments to ensure the realisation of Africa’s development strategy through legislation.
The Zambian delegation was also represented at the conference by Kabwe Central Member of Parliament Tutwa Ngulube, Ms Pilila Jere of Lumezi, Mulobezi’s Alfred Mandumbwa and Hon. Lazarous Chungu from Lupososhi.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is an international forum of over a 180 Parliaments and Legislatures drawn from Commonwealth countries working together to deepen and promote good governance.
This is according to media statement made available to The Independent Observer by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at Zambian Embassy in Botswana Kasabo Kalusa.
