Lusaka economist calls for EAZ to be turned into a statutory body

Lusaka economist calls for EAZ to be turned into a statutory body
By Mutale Kapekele
Mon 23 Aug. 2010, 04:00 CAT

THE Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) constitution lacks sharp enforcement teeth and should be turned into a statutory body, Lusaka economist Kelvin Kamayoyo has suggested.

Kamayoyo yesterday said the EAZ constitution, which was passed on March 5, 2002, lacked sharp enforcement teeth capable of enhancing and strengthening monitoring mechanisms and keep a bird’s eye-view of the conduct of its general membership, and effectively collect membership subscription fees.

“It is against this backdrop that EAZ should be turned into a statutory institution like many other professional bodies namely; Engineering Institute of Zambia, Health Professionals of Zambia and Zambia Institute of Marketers,” Kamayoyo said.

“EAZ with an Act of parliament would ensure that the general public is cautioned that it was an offence under the Economics Professions Act of the Laws of Zambia to impersonate any economics practitioner or to employ unregistered economics practitioner in both the public and private sectors for purposes of providing economic planning and management, and other services in Zambia.”

He said that once EAZ was turned into a statutory body under the relevant Act of Parliament, the Association would then have the jurisdiction to monitor all “economic activities taking place in the country, sustain itself financially through statutory fees legally collected and be able to undertake all the programmes outlined in its strategic plan.

On August 28, EAZ will be holding an Annual General Meeting (AGM - 2010) and is expected to outline the strategic direction of the Association, framing the policy and strategy for managing the secretariat.

Kamayoyo advised the EAZ to use the AGM to determine its direction in terms of development and growth within the provisions of the association’s constitution and the mandate given by the executive committee as well as general guidelines.

He observed that through an Act of Parliament, the Association would be provided with authority to register all economists and other economics related disciplines in order to qualify to practice as an economist in Zambia.

“It is pertinent that we all support this timely and unique transitional path towards making the EAZ a statutory body because whatever we establish as economists belongs exclusively to us and the general economic agents, and it is our fundamental responsibility to ensure that structures and legal framework put up does not adversely affect the economy in general nor the national vision,” Kamayoyo said.

“In addition, for economists to proactively and reactively safeguard the character of economics discipline in Zambia, the penalties or sanctions for anyone who abrogates the would be Act of Parliament to regulate economists should be stiffer and the disciplinary procedures equally ought to be unconcealed and brisk because justice delayed is justice denied.”