Legislative agenda set

On Zesa, the President said the power utility would by end of this year distribute 5,5 million compact fluorescent lamps and install prepayment meters within the next 18 months.
The project starts next month.
“However, a long term solution lies in the expansion of generating capacity at Hwange and Kariba Power stations as well as starting new power stations. The necessary ground work is already in progress,” said the President.
Commenting on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings, President Mugabe noted the significant improvement in the reach of broadcasting services following the construction of new transmitter sites at Beitbridge, Plumtree and Victoria Falls.
“As the refurbishment and expansion of the transmitter network programme progresses, so will the migration process from analogue to digital broadcasting in order to improve the quality of service as well as comply with regional and international digital broadcasting of 2013 and 2015 respectively,” he said.
President Mugabe said the parties to the GPA have now agreed on key milestones and timelines in preparations for the holding of national elections.
At least 16 Bills will be presented for debate during the session.
Some of the 16 Bills are those Parliament could not debate in the past session because the Global Political Agreement partners had not yet concluded negotiations.
Another reason was that Parliament was busy with the Constitution making process.
Notable among them is the Electoral Amendment Bill, Referendum Amendment Bill, Human Rights Commission Bill, Diamond Bill and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Debt Restructuring Bill.
Parliament is also expected to ratify Protocols that Zimbabwe has signed.
These include those treaties consistent with the fulfillment of the Sadc Protocol on Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement that among other things promotes the conservation of shared wildlife resources through the establishment of transfrontier conservation areas.
Before the delivery of the President’s speech, Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma read the Presidential Proclamation calling for the sitting of Parliament in terms of the Constitution.
Soon after the delivery of the President’s speech, Zvimba East MP, Cde Patrick Zhuwao (Zanu-PF) moved a motion calling on MPs to make a respectful address thanking him for his speech.
In Senate, Non Constituency Senator, Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo (Zanu-PF) moved the same motion.
Yesterday’s opening of Parliament was attended by Supreme and High Court Judges, Service Chiefs, traditional leaders, Government Ministers, diplomats and senior political party officials among others.
Parliament adjourned to September 20.