Clerk of the National Assembly, Doris Mwiinga has said the involvement of the cross section of Zambians in Legislative process is an important part of the reforms of the National Assembly.
In a speech read on her behalf by National Assembly Deputy Clerk of Administration Cecilia Mbewe, Ms. Mwiinga says there is therefore need to put in place an appropriate communications process that will ensure a two way flow of information between the National Assembly, parliamentarians and citizens.
She was speaking during the stakeholders workshop for the Formulation of a Communication Strategy for the National Assembly of Zambia in Lusaka on Thursday.
The National Assembly has engaged PANOS Institute of Southern Africa to carry out the task of formulating a Communications Strategy.
Ms. Mwiinga called for the formulation of a strategy that will enhance the two way communication, encouraging increased feedback from a cross section of the Zambian citizens.
And Chairperson of the Reforms and Modernization Committee, Faustina Sinyangwe said the National Assembly has during the past ten (10) years been implementing parliamentary reforms with the prime objective of improving upon the parliamentary overseer activities of the Executive while facilitating increased citizen participation in the affairs of the country.
Ms. Sinyangwe says the Reforms have among other things included the establishment of Parliament Radio and the setting up of offices for Members of Parliament in all the one hundred and fifty (150) Constituencies.
She says an enhanced communications process is now needed to allow citizens to participate more actively in ensuring that their needs are better represented and that their Members of Parliament visit their Constituencies and facilitate development in communities.
Ms. Sinyangwe further says meaningful development could be realized by having a communications strategy that will fill the communication gaps between the Members of Parliament and their Constituents.
Panos Institute of Southern Africa Executive Director Parkie Mbozi said that an effective communications strategy is critical in ensuring enhanced accountability in the governance process.
Mr. Mbozi said, formulating an effective communications strategy should be done at a right time.
He emphasizes the importance of human interaction at all levels.
The formulation of a good communications strategy is among other things expected to enhance the National Assembly’s ability to communicate and relate with key stakeholders, who include the Members of Parliament, civil society organizations, constituents, and the cooperating partners, thereby taking parliament closer to the people.
[ZANIS]
Speaking of Parlimentary reforms I think parliament should make reforms on policy making. Policy should be made by the people represented by their MPs. That means they should make the sole idea of policy making open in the sense that it should be more of Private Member’s Bill and not Ministry fostered like it is. That’s when we will be able to say The People are rulling.
#1 you are right on that one. but also MP must have offices in their constituencies so we the people can see them and talk to them.