Mudenda says Parliament must ensure that Zimbabwe passes a pro-poor 2019 budget

We are not here to mourn but to carve out a national Budget through the sharing and cross-fertilization of ideas.

We are not here to condemn but to strengthen our Budgetary processes. Neither are we here to praise and glorify but to give constructive criticism.

Let our collective wisdom enhance our capacity to find solutions to our Budgetary challenges. Hence what I expect to hear from Hon Members are proposed solutions, solutions, solutions and nothing else.

As has been the practice, it is my hope that the new Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Ncube, will have a closed session with all Chairpersons to finally consult them soon after this Pre-Budget Seminar before he pens off the numericals attendant to the 2019 Budget. This will ensure that Parliament’s Budgetary input is wholly captured without prejudice.

Lest we forget. The sovereignty of our Parliament demands that Parliament be allocated a reasonable Budget vote which it should manage itself so that it can transact its constitutional mandate without material challenges.

After all, section 325(1)(b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe peremptorily provides that “The Government must ensure that adequate funds are provided to Parliament, to enable it and its committees to meet whenever necessary”.

Parliament, through the various Portfolio and Thematic Committees should be able to perform its sacred tripartite roles of representation, oversight and legislation to the highest degree of competence.

A well-resourced Parliament is a dignified institution.

In the same vein, there is an urgent need for the Government to prioritise the construction of the new Parliament building in Mt Hampden in order to accommodate the huge demand for office space by Members and Staff of Parliament.

The status quo where Members stampede for seats, particularly in the National Assembly, is a serious infraction of their right to human dignity as Honourable Members. This is a shame as it detracts the decorum of the institution of Parliament.

I, therefore, call for the relevant government departments involved to burn the midnight candle and ensure that there is speedy progress in the construction of a new Parliament of Zimbabwe.

This stance can only be realized if Members of Parliament desist from allowing the 2019 Budget to pass through instead of passing it after some incisive debate.

In conclusion, allow me to take this opportunity to profoundly thank the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for wholly funding this seminar.

As a country, we are taking charge of our destiny through this and other allied gestures. I sincerely hope you will all invest your energies into the core business of this inaugural Pre-Budget seminar of the Ninth Parliament. I wish you constructive and fruitful deliberations during this crucially important seminar.

It is now my singular honour and privilege to declare this 2019 Pre-Budget seminar open.

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