By JAMES KUNDA –
PARLIAMENT was a hive of activities in 2015 as lawmakers brainstormed on several issues affecting the nation.
A session of the National Assembly was for the first time in 2015 opened by a Head of State who was a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) in the current five-year term, 2011 to 2016.

• MR Lungu shares a light moment with opposition Members of Parliament shortly after opening the Fifth Session of the 11th National Assembly.

This was after President Edgar Lungu ascended to the higher office, taking over from the late Michael Sata who died on October 28, 2014.
President Lungu’s official opening of the Fifth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly on September 18 was characterised by pomp and splendor with the atmosphere not different in the Chamber where the MP’s welcomed him with the ‘yah yah’ chants.
Mr Lungu who themed his address to the National Assembly; ‘Embracing a transformation culture for a smart Zambia now’ outlined several steps that his Government was implementing to steer economic development to greater heights.
“Our transformational culture should, therefore, start with each and every one of us getting involved.
“In this transformation, we must leave the past behind and embrace positive attitudes in all our endeavours; we must transform ourselves,” Mr Lungu implored the law makers.
The ending year also saw the House approve the K53.14 billion 2016 National Budget presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda on October 9.
The Budget was approved on the last day of sitting, December 11, after Mr Chikwanda moved a motion that National Assembly Bill number 29 of 2015, which is the appropriation Bill, be adopted.
This followed the successful completion of debate on the estimates of revenue and expenditure, including capital and constitutional and statutory expenditure, for the financial year January 1 to December 31, 2016.
The Budget represented 25.8 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Mr Chikwanda assured the House that the money in the Budget would be spent prudently to cater for the pressing needs of the people.
He said Government had targeted to keep the fiscal deficit within the range of 3.8 per cent of the GDP to enhance macro-economic stability.
“We have been consistent in applying a robust fiscal stance because we want to secure the future of our country.
“We will also ensure that revenue collection is increased through enhanced tax compliance measures,” he said.
After a day of continuous debate, the House passed the Constitution of Zambia Bill number 16 and Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill number 17 of 2015 with both ruling and opposition party members giving divergent views on the proposed Law.
The Constitution making process commenced in 2011 when late President Michael Sata constituted a 20-member technical committee to draft the new Republican Law.
The amended Bill number 17 provided for among other things the 50 plus one majoritarian mode of electing a Head of State, with the Vice-President as a running mate and dual citizenship which will enable Zambians living in the Diaspora to participate in elections back home.
It also provided for the national Budget to be enacted by a simple majority vote transitioning from the two thirds’ majority threshold.
The Bill of Rights is however, not part of the amended Bill as it has been slated for a Referendum to be held concurrently with next year’s general elections.
The proposed Law, which was first tabled in the House on October 15, came up for commencement of Committee Stage on Thursday December 10, with Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula proposing amendments to several clauses some  of which needed to be reconsidered before being included in the Bill.
Among the deferred clauses were Article 47 which provided for the mixed member proportional representation and Article 45 on the creation of provincial assemblies in the country’s 10 districts.
The mixed member proportional representation sought to increase the number of MPs by 94 to the existing 158.
The 94 MP’s were to be nominated by the political parties but Dr Simbyakula proposed that the clause be deleted from the amended Bill because of the costs involved.
Despite numerous opposing views from the United Party for National Development (UPND) MPs; the House settled on a vote with 114 members out of 151 voting that the clause be deleted from the amended Bill and 37 voting otherwise.
The deferment of Article 45 equally drew massive resistance from UPND and some MMD members who accused Government of going against its pronouncement of delivering a people-driven Constitution.
Provincial assemblies, which were to carry legislative authority and presided over by a Speaker and Deputy, would operate on five-year terms and would comprise of MP’s, mayors or council chairpersons.
Other groupings which could have been represented in the provincial assemblies were; Chiefs, farmers, youths, the aged, disabled and business persons.
But when the House resolved to a vote; 114 MP’s out of 152 voted in the affirmative while 38 voted that the clause be included in the revised Bill.
The House also resolved that the Budget should be enacted through a simple majority.
During voting for the clause, 105 out of 142 members voted in the affirmative while 37 voted in the negative.
The Bill passed the third reading stage after 111 MP’s out of 148 voted in the affirmative and 37 in the negative.
The vote, however, represented that two thirds of the Assembly had voted in the affirmative.
On Bill number 16, which was a stepping stone to the amendment Bill number 17, 110 members out of 145 voted in the affirmative while 35 voted against it.
Dr Simbyakula said the Constitution process was not flawed and the adjustments to some clauses were in fear of the prevailing economic situation.
He said the proposed Law still embraced critical provisions such as the election of the Vice-President as a running mate which will circumvent costs associated with holding Presidential by-elections.
The House adjourned sine die for the last time in 2015 on December 11, after 49 days of business in which 238 questions for oral answer were considered and 11 Bills passed.
Vice-President Inonge Wina moved the motion to suspend Standing Orders 20 and 21 (1) and if necessary Standing Order 101, to enable the House complete all business and adjourn sine die.
When the motion was put to a vote, 100 members out of 143 voted in the affirmative while 43 voted against the motion.
The last sitting witnessed the arrival of three new members namely; Anthony Kasandwe for Bangweulu under the PF ticket, Teddy Kasonso, UPND, Solwezi West) and George Mwamba (PF, Lubansenshi).
Vice President Inonge Wina, who is leader of the House urged the MP’s to visit the constituencies during recess and ensure that the people had easy accessing to farming inputs for the current crop planning season.
The House is expected to resume business next year.