PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON THE DECISIONS MADE BY CABINET AT THE 3RD CABINET MEETING IN THE YEAR 2022 HELD ON TUESDAY, 22ND FEBRUARY, 2022
His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia Mr. Hakainde Hichilema called for the 3rd Cabinet Meeting in the Year 2022, held on Tuesday, 22nd February, to discuss legislative and other general policy issues.
The following are the issues deliberated upon by Cabinet:
1. National School of Government Bill, 2022.
During the Meeting, Cabinet approved in principle, three (3) legislative matters.
Cabinet approved in principle, to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to operationalise the National School of Government and provide for its functions, powers and duties.
The National School of Government was established through Gazette Notice No. 836 of 2016 and re-aligned through Gazette Notice No. 1123 of 2021 as a dedicated institution to provide training, induction, consultancy and research in order to promote professionalism, integrity, transparency and accountability in the Public Service.
The School was established by Government to enhance the capacity of public servants to meet the leadership, policy and delivery challenges the country faces. Through the School, professionalism will be enhanced in the Civil Service.
Cabinet further agreed that going forward, all Civil Servants will have to go through the National School of Government, when fully operational, in order for the Civil Servants to fully understand and appreciate their roles and responsibilities and contribute to national development.
2. The Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (Repeal and Replacement) Bill, 2022.
The second legislative matter Cabinet approved in principle for introduction of a Bill in Parliament is to repeal and replace the 1998 Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Act of 1998. This legislation is aimed at enhancing the coordination of the skills development sector, address and incorporate emerging issues as well as align it to the revised 2020 TEVET Policy.
Currently, Zambia is guided by the 1998 Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Act and while it is acknowledged that some of the intentions for this Act may have been met during the implementation period, others still remain. This Act has not undergone any revision since 1998 and, therefore, has not taken into account the major changes and trends that have emerged in skills development at national, regional and global levels.
3. Work Based Learning Bill, 2022.
The third and last legislative matter deliberated during the Meeting is the approval by Cabinet in principle to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to repeal and replace the Apprenticeship Act No. 36 of 1964 in order to replace it with the Work Based Learning Bill, 2022.
The Apprenticeship Act of 1964 has several lacunas and is inadequate for enhancing Work-Based Learning, as the national training system in the country has seen numerous modifications over the years in addressing changing needs in the labour market. Further, the 2020 National TEVET Policy has shifted focus from a formal economy to include the growing informal economy.
This legislation is, therefore, aimed at addressing the gaps in the current law and will provide for new developments, incorporating both formal and informal learning.
4. Bilateral Agreement between the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Botswana on the Establishment of the Kazungula Bridge Authority.
During the Meeting, Cabinet also approved the signing of the Bilateral Agreement between the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Botswana aimed at creating the Kazungula Bridge Authority. The Authority will be mandated with the responsibility to operate, manage and maintain the Bridge and One-Stop Border Infrastructure on behalf of the two Governments, in line with international standards and best practice.
Zambia and Botswana completed construction of the Kazungula Bridge and One-Stop Border infrastructure in order to improve the flow of traffic, goods and people across the border. The Project was jointly financed by the two Governments, with additional support from the African Development Bank and the Japanese Government. The two Governments have since agreed to create an Authority with the mandate to operate, manage and maintain the infrastructure. Further, Cabinet agreed that the two governments should come up with the necessary legal framework to facilitate smooth operation of the Authority.
5. Mukula Tree Exploitation and Trading and Disposal Modalities.
Cabinet decided that the ban which was imposed by Government on 10th October, 2021, on the harvesting, trading and exportation of Mukula timber logs remains in force. Cabinet is of the view that the citizens need to fully benefit from their natural resources and that Mukula is one such an important natural resource to the Zambian people. It was also resolved that during this period of the ban, relevant Government institutions shall take stock of all the Mukula logs that is lying around the country and be placed in secure places.
Cabinet further resolved that in the medium to long-term, value-addition should be a step to take on all timber species and that Government shall facilitate establishment of timber processing industries country-wide as a way to create the much-needed employment and wealth especially for the rural communities and the youth.
6. Appointment of the Lusaka Solid Waste Management Utility Board.
In winding up debate on the 3rd Cabinet Meeting, Cabinet considered and approved the appointment of a nine (9) Member Lusaka Solid Waste Management Utility Board.
The appointment of the Board follows the enactment of the Solid Waste Management and Regulation Act of 2018 and the establishment of the Lusaka Solid Waste Management Utility Company.
The appointment of the Board of Directors is a clear demonstration of Government’s resolve and decisiveness to champion the management of solid waste services by allowing a highly competent panel to run the affairs of the utility company thereby improving service delivery.
Hon. Chushi Kasanda, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
23rd February, 2022