Parliament To Focus On Aligning Laws To Constitution: Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe has called on the country to remain united in its quest to build a solid foundation for sustainable development.

He made the remarks while officially opening the second session of the 8th parliament of Zimbabwe at Parliament Building on Tuesday.

President Mugabe says this session will focus on the alignment of laws to the new constitution.

He outlined various bills that are expected to be enacted into law during this session.

Mugabe said as part of government efforts to improve the standards of living of all Zimbabweans, the government will look set up a commission of enquiry to look into the transition from Zimbabwe  dollar to United States dollar, as people could have been prejudiced of their pensions.

He called on companies under the Community Share Ownership Schemes to honour their promises.

“Companies under the community trusts are advised to honour the obligations,” he said.

He reminded members of parliament of the huge responsibility that they carry in articulating the aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe.

“As members of parliament, we bear on our shoulders the interests and aspirations of our people,” said President Mugabe.

President Mugabe’s address touched on the four clusters of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Scio-Economic Transformation (ZIM ASSET).

On agriculture, President Mugabe said government will provide inputs support to communal and resettlement farmers in order to enhance food security and build on last season’s good yields.

“Govt will once again provide livestock and crop input support to communal farmers. The agriculture sector in the 2013-2014 season registered positive growth and this greatly improved food security for our people,” he said.

He noted that the ZIM ASSET economic blue print hinges on the provision of adequate energy in all sectors of the economy, adding that the revival of the industrial sector remains a pressing need for government and all stakeholders.

“Government is working to improve the ease of doing business in the country. Labour laws are being improved to enhance the investment climate in the country,” Mugabe said.

Turning to the mining sector, President Mugabe said the sector is projected to play a leading role in the recovery of the economy, adding that priority shall be accorded to value addition in the mining and selling of minerals.

The President said as part of dealing with the huge housing backlog, government has launched a programme to build 313 283 houses in all the country’s provinces under the National Housing Delivery Programme.

He however, acknowledged that there will be need to deal with the pricing models to ensure that the generality of the people can afford them. 

Mugabe revealed that youth desks will be established in all ministries in order to mainstream youth development programmes.

The President said the primary and secondary schools curriculum is currently being reviewed to re-align it with the national development thrust with greater emphasis on sciences and technology.

President Mugabe hailed the opportunity afforded the nation of hosting the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under 20 Youth Games to be staged in Bulawayo.

“This will provide an opportunity to revive the City of Bulawayo, especially in the tourism and hospitality industries,” he said.

He applauded the security forces for continuing to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity.

On the global front, Mugabe called for the reform of the United Nations, saying Zimbabwe opposes the unilateralism of some countries.

The President took the opportunity to reiterate the call for the removal of the illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country by Britain and its allies following government’s land redistribution programme.

ZBC