A peak into the lifestyle Zimbabwe Parliamentarians want

Hon. Sikhala raised similar issues on increasing the resource envelope on the role of Parliament, that is correct.  The issue of arrears is about the availability of foreign currency.  It is not just arrears in terms of Parliament; it is a whole lot of international arrears, including debt.  The debt is being dealt with separately. We are also in arrears with Embassies and we continue to make best effort in raising foreign currency to clear these arrears so that the Hon. Member Sikhala and others can participate as full members of the international community without the embarrassment that they have suffered in the past.

To conclude, I would like Hon. Members of Parliament to bear with us, we are in a very tight fiscal situation and really the budget of $101 million, which is a 25% increase from the previous year, we think is a very good start.  We do have reserves and all the issues that they are referring to, especially that of vehicles is being dealt with and I think they will be very happy when they see the vehicles they will receive at the end of the day.  We are working so that as soon as possible, they will receive their vehicles.  I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –

The Chairperson asked Hon. Prof. M. Ncube to approach the Chair.

THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON: Order Hon. Members.

HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Hon. Chikwinya raised another very important issue regarding the Constituency Information Centres in which he requested that they be capacitated.  We have listened to this and again, we will use reserves to deal with this issue.  It is a very important issue and we agree with him that it is important.

HON. MUSABAYANA: Thank you Hon. Chair.  I want to add my voice to this debate on Vote No. 2.  Hon. Chair, I think this august House should agree on reminding the Minister that when you are looking at Vote 2, we are not looking at it as an expense, it should be looked at as working capital.  When you are giving a budget to Parliament, you are actually investing into the economy [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Mr. Chair, these are the people who are involved in the policy formulation of this country.  We are looking at policies and we are looking at the Constitution, it is the quality of work that is produced in this august House that will determine the level of investment that will come to this country.

If our Parliament is robust, is engaging in health debate, if Parliament is fully committed to the work of Parliament, then we will have results in this august House.  We have a challenge in this august House and time and again, the Speaker is complaining about members who come and sit in the House for a few minutes.  It is not their fault, it is because they are moonlighting, and they are trying to eke out a living.

Mr. Chairman, we want this Budget to help some of the Hon. Members who have been voted to this august House but do not have any other form of income to be able to fend for themselves and their families and also to be able to produce quality work.  Mr. Chairman, we also need to look at the issue of oversight.  When you are looking at oversight, you are looking at compliance in terms of corporate governance.  Our ministries are involved in trade deals and we expect Parliament to carry oversight.  That role requires that Parliamentarians are ethical; parliamentarians must be honest and are people of integrity.  It is difficult for our members to have integrity if they are not well paid.  For Hon. Members – [HON. MEMBERS:  Inaudible interjections.] – Mr. Chairman, we have a challenge where Hon. Members are soliciting for presents, they are soliciting for allowances when they go out to do their oversight role.  That is very embarrassing Mr. Chairman – [HON. MEMBERS:  Hear, hear.] –

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