THE HON SPEAKER DELIVERS A HISTORICAL SPEECH TO THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT UPPER HOUSE

The Hon Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Justice Dr.Patrick Matibini, SC, FCIARB, MP, delivered a speech to the Plenary Session of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russia Federation on Wednesday, 18th April, 2018. This was the highlight of the Hon Speaker’s benchmark visit from 15th to 20th April, 2018 to the Russian Parliament to exchange views on best parliamentary practices.

The Council of Federation made up of one hundred and sixty six (166) Members is the Upper House of the Russian Parliament and it is composed of two representatives from every constituent entity of the Russian Federation with one representing the legislative (representative) authority and the other the executive authority. It is also comprised of the Russian Federation appointed by the President of the Russian Federation whose number shall not exceed ten percent of Federation Council members representing legislative (representative) and executive authorities of Russia’s constituent entities. The State Parliament, lower House is made up of four hundred and fifty (450) Members.

The Hon Speaker thanked his counterpart Mrs Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the Council of Federation for her invitation to him to address the Upper House. It was the first time any Speaker from Zambia to address the Upper or lower Houses of the Russian Parliament.

The Hon Speaker referred to the great bilateral relations that have existed between Zambia and Russia since Zambia’s independence in 1964. The Hon Speaker’s address covered the following areas:

Economic and Scientific Cooperation Agreement that was signed in 1967 paved the way for cooperation in education, health, defence and trade. Over the years other agreements have been signed in these areas;

In 2017 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and a Project Development Agreement (PDA) were signed regarding training of Zambian students in Nuclear Sciences, MoU on Nuclear Safety and Regulation, MoU on enhancement on Public awareness of Nuclear Science and technology Applications in Zambia and the PDA on the Construction of a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Zambia proposed in Chongwe Area;

Zambia is one of the largest recipients of Russian Goverment Scholarships among countries in Sub-Saharan Africa;

Recounted Zambia’s Parliamentary Reforms which include establishment of Parliament Radio and Television, establishment of Constituency Offices, construction of new committee buildings, construction of a media and visitors’ centre and establishment of the Parliamentary Budget Office

The Hon Speaker, however, stated the need for Russian Cooperation to upgrade the Parliament security system and infrastructure at the Zambian Parliament Buildings, enhance the use of ICTs in parliamentary operations, strengthening the capacity of Parliamentary Committees and enhancement of capacity of parliamentary staff in order for them to be more effective in their support to the work of parliamentarians.

The Hon Speaker and His Excellency Mr Shadreck Luwita, Ambassador of Zambia to the Russian Federation also jointly participated in meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Moscow Region Parliament (Duma) on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th April, 2018.

The Hon Speaker also held a meeting with his counterpart Mrs Valentina Matvienko, Chairperson of the Council of Federation at the Upper House of the Russian Parliament on Wednesday 18th April, 2018 at which he mentioned the need for the construction of a new Parliamentary Chamber and offices to meet the needs of the growing numbers of Members of Parliament and members of staff who provide support services to Members of Parliament. He indicated that the current facility had been used from the time there were only 105 Members of Parliament in 1968 and now there are 167 Members of Parliament, including the Hon Speaker, Her Honour the Vice President, Deputy Speakers as well as increased numbers of members of staff.

Source: http://www.parliament.gov.zm/node/7509