Maravi

Britain gives Zambia K8.9bn for parliamentary reforms

Britain gives Zambia K8.9bn for parliamentary reforms
By Fridah Zinyama
Wednesday June 18, 2008 [04:00]

THE British and Zambian governments have signed an K8.9 billion bilateral arrangement meant for support to the National Assembly over a three-year period from 2008 to 2011. And Minister for Development, UK Department for International Development, Gillian Merron said the grant was meant to encourage more Zambian citizens' participation in the democratic process.

During the signing ceremony yesterday at the ministry of finance, finance minister N'gandu Magande (left) said the grant would go towards the capacity development component of the Parliamentary Reform Programme 111 (PRP).

"The overall objective of this programme is to have a Representative and Responsiveness, Efficient and Effective, Accountable and Accessible and Linked (REAL) Parliament," he said. "A REAL Parliament will enhance the independence and effectiveness of the National Assembly as a representative agent of oversight and achieve the objectiveness of the reform in the democratic governance system of Zambia."

Magande said the financial assistance would go a long way in addressing the capacity development of the PRP 111, which will be implemented as a distinct component.
"The major objective is to develop the institutional, human and operational capacities of the members of parliament and the staff of the National Assembly in order to improve member constituent relations, an improved legislative system and an improved committee system," he said.

Magande said the assistance which DFID had provided to Zambia was a fulfilment of the goals of the 'Ten-year partnership Arrangement (1007-2011) which was signed in June, 2007 in the UK.

"Under the ten-year arrangement, the UK has been providing bilateral assistance to Zambia at the indicative level of at least K255 billion," he said.
And Merron said good governance was at the heart of development.
"An effective state is the single most important factor in determining whether progress takes place," she said.

Merron said the PRP 111 programme was meant to improve the effectiveness and independence of Parliament.

"By holding their government to account, Zambians will help it to more effectively meet their needs," she noted. "This is particularly important at a time when the Zambian government's revenue is increasing significantly."

Merron said this additional money would present the government with an opportunity to invest in far reaching programmes that will improve people's lives.

Labels: GRANTS, PARLIAMENT, UK

posted by MrK @ 3:33 AM