SECRETARY to the Cabinet Roland Msiska engages in a conversation with Zambia Congress of Trade Unions secretary general Roy Mwaba last year. – Picture by MACKSON WASAMUNU.
By STEVEN MVULA
GOVERNMENT has banned permanent secretaries from travelling for other tasks when they have parliamentary business to attend to.
Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska said yesterday that permanent secretaries have to be available for parliamentary business at all times.
This ban follows concerns raised by the Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation over delay by government ministries in submitting proposed statutory instruments.
Dr Msiska announced the ban when he appeared before the committee chaired by Moono Lubezhi yesterday.
“No travel will be permitted for permanent secretaries unless business to do with Parliament is completed,” Dr Msiska said.
He was accompanied by permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice Patricia Jere.
Dr Msiska said Government is doing its best and everything possible to have a competent and efficient civil service.
“I cannot presume my system is working well. Some of the inefficiencies are inherent in the systems but we will get better results when we tighten the screws,” he said.
He said his office will continue engaging the Ministry of Justice to continue training permanent secretaries on matters of legislation.
Committee member Allan Mbewe wondered why statutory instruments are implemented before they are presented before the Committee on Delegated Legislation.
Dr Msiska apologised for the delay in submitting the statutory instruments and said that the oversight role of Parliament is necessary.
“It is not lack of respect for Parliament but capacities of various ministries vary and so even the depths of consultations also vary,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Msiska says it will be good to review best practices of other countries like Ghana but that certain laws need not be part of the constitution.
“Don’t enshrine certain laws in the constitution because two years down the line you may want to change and you will need a referendum, which is not cheap,” Dr Msiska said.
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