Metro

Zambia’s parliamentary crisis deepens as Speaker Mutti suspends 17 opposition lawmakers

Published

6 months ago

November 8, 2023

The crisis rocking the Zambian Parliament has intensified following the suspension of 17 opposition lawmakers of the Patriotic Front (PF) and Independent MPs by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, for 30 legislative days.

While making the announcement on Tuesday, Mutti said the MPs were suspended for alleged gross misconduct and effective Tuesday, November 7, and lasting till Wednesday, December 6, 2023.

Among those suspended are Nkana Indepedent Member of Parliament, Binwell Mpundu, who had filed a notification to the Clerk of the House seeking the impeachment of Mutti.

Others are Chinsali PF Member of Parliament, Kalalwe Mukosa, Stephen Kampyongo for Shiwang’andu, Lunte MP, Mutotwe Kafwaya, and Leader of Opposition in the House, Brian Mundubile, who was one of the first MPs to support Mpundu’s motion.

Mutti told the suspended lawnakers that during the period of their suspension, they would not be paid their salaries and would not participate in any activities involving parliament nor visit the National Assembly Motel.

“The National Assembly Act, Cap. 12 of the Laws of Zambia, provides guidance on these issues. Section 19 (c) provides that any person shall be guilty of an offence who causes an obstruction or disturbance within the precincts of the Assembly Chamber during a sitting of the Assembly or of a committee thereof,” Mutti said while addressing the opposition figures.

She said that “Section 25 (f) of the Act provides that any person who creates or joins in any disturbance which interrupts or was likely to interrupt the proceedings of the Assembly while it was sitting shall be guilty of an offence.

“Further, Standing Order 205 (a) of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders 2021, provides that a member commits an act of gross disorderly conduct if he or she defies a ruling or direction of a presiding officer,” she said.

The Speaker added that in line with parliamentary practice and procedure and the rules of natural justice, the Office of the Clerk wrote to all the identified members requesting them to explain why they should not be found in breach of parliamentary privilege and contempt of the House for participating in inciting a Member to defy an order of the Speaker.

“Lawlessness is not equal to freedom of expression. Deliberately defying the Speaker or any presiding officer is not only an affront to the Speaker but it is an assault or attack on our constitutional democracy,” Mutti said.

Mutti explained that such a person shall be liable, on conviction, to a “fine not exceeding five thousand penalty units or to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both.”

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Metro

Church in Kasama warns government against misusing Cyber Security Act

Published

10 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

In Kasama District of Northern Province, the Church has issued a caution to the government regarding the use of the Cyber Security Act to intimidate, harass, or oppress citizens and political parties.

Reverend Joseph Nkonde, Chairperson of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) for Kasama District, restated the importance of fair implementation of the law to prevent discontent among citizens.

Speaking to Zambia Monitor in Kasama, Nkonde stressed the necessity for the government to focus on the positive aspects of the law and refine problematic clauses to achieve the desired Act.

“In this age of information, today’s Zambia is vastly different from yesterday’s. Citizens now utilise cyberspace to access and disseminate information,” he said.

Nkonde highlighted that Cyber Security also pertained to media freedoms, which are crucial for democracy and the well-being of Zambians.

He cautioned the government against intimidating journalists or their media houses using laws like the Cyber Security Act, as it could impede their performance.

“It’s important to note that many people, especially in rural areas, are unfamiliar with or unaware of the Cyber Security Act. The government can use the media to educate them about its advantages and disadvantages,” Nkonde advised.

Regarding media freedom, Nkonde acknowledged government’s efforts to implement policies aimed at protecting journalists but stressed the need for further action to ensure their security.

He urged Parliament to consider enacting laws that safeguard journalists and, ultimately, ordinary citizens who rely on the disseminated information.

“I also want to caution ordinary Zambians against misusing social media and posting content that may sow division or prompt government action that could be perceived as harmful,” Nkonde added.

This story is sponsored content from Zambia Monitor’s Project Aliyense.

Metro

Nigeria targets 10,000MW hydropower through sustainable power project

Published

15 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says the federal government is targeting10,000 megawatts through its Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project for Nigeria (SPIN) in collaboration with the World Bank.

Adelabu who disclosed this at during the African High-Level Roundtable on Sustainable Hydropower in the African Renewable Energy Mix of the 21st Century, held in Abuja on Wednesday, said the “primary objective of the project is to enhance the utilisation of existing storage facilities for both irrigation and hydropower generation.”

He added that the project aims to strengthen institutional frameworks related to integrated water resources management within Nigeria.

“SPIN aims to unlock additional 10GW combined capacity from existing dams with provision for hydro but not fitted, partially incomplete dams with provisions for hydropower, Greenfield projects and existing multipurpose dams that can be modified/redesigned and retrofitted,” Adelabu said.

The Minister who acknowled the immense potential for hydropower development in Africa, said it is important to also consider responsible development.

“We must address environmental concerns around dam construction and ecosystem disruption, alongside social impacts on local communities. This requires a commitment to sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and innovative solutions to financing these large-scale projects.”

The Minister also stated that for several decades, hydropower has played a significant role in Nigeria’s energy supply, contributing approximately 20 per cent to the nation’s total grid supply as of now.

Adelabu emphasised Nigeria’s wealth of water resources across its various basins while the country’s hydropower capacity is estimated at 14 GW, only around 15 per cent of this potential has been harnessed.

“The country has over 340 dams spread across different geo-political zones, under the management of the three government tiers and many are not optimally utilized or at risk of damage.

“For the small hydropower, a multitude of river systems, providing about 70 micro dams, 126 mini dams, and 86 small sites, supply a technically exploitable capacity of 3.5GW, but only 1.7per cent (0.06GW) of these resources are currently being tapped, while there are about 10GW of potential untapped capacities from the large and medium-sized hydropower,” he added.