Are Zimbabwe legislators attending more workshops for the extra buck?

As for the stands, I am having a meeting with selected Members of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders on Thursday to bring about finality to the issue of stands, not only for Members of Parliament, but also for our staff.  I believe we should be able to get very comprehensive response from the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities.

As for the Constituency Centres or centres of information – again it has to do with the budget.  In our next budget, can we make sure that that item is well covered, so that we can start the construction of the offices.   Although this may not happen immediately, it is a long term exercise.  If we start with Norton, you might get one. We also advise Members of Parliament to liaise with the private sector to see how best the private sector can come in and either donate some building – I know one Member successfully had some conversation with the private sector and he has got an up and running information centre.  This is a matter that is definitely essential for communication with the electorate while you are there or out here in the august House.  Let us work towards a very stout budget and see how best we can address this.  Within the constraints of the socio-economic environment of the country at the moment, we may have a phased out approach in terms of selecting certain constituencies across the country so that we can start moving in the right direction.

I think we have heard enough of matters of national interest.

Hon. T. Mliswa having spoken whilst seated and not recognised by the Hon. Speaker.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  You stand up, you stand up.  You prepared these Standing Orders, I did not and you approved them.

HON. T. MLISWA:  My apologies Sir.  Thank you for the correction.  In terms of the information centres, the budget was approved after we debated. It is the allocation. We have not received the money. It is Treasury who was supposed to give us the money – otherwise we went through the process and we did well.  I do not know what else we can do.  In terms of the cars as well like I said – 200 000 kms, a car is normally as good as finished.  I do not know if we could get other cars so that we remain efficient, because they become dangerous when they are not efficient.

THE HON. SPEAKER:  Again, the matter of personal cars is a matter of the choices that are made by the Hon. Members.  The servicing of vehicles is a matter we did ask CMED to see if they could assist, but they did not have the capacity.  It is a matter that we are seized with. You can go further than 200 000 kilometers.  The environment out there is very rugged – admitted, so the servicing of vehicles is a very expensive exercise.  Let us come up with ideas and see how we can cushion the Hon. Members of Parliament.

As to the adequacy of the budget, you will recall that inflation has taken course in the process, and what we budgeted for as $10 is now worth perhaps $2.  Next time when you do the budget, I think take into account inflation as well, so that we are covered.

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