Source: NewsDay
DEBATE on the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill to legalise the use of bond notes as a currency was deferred yesterday after it emerged that the chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance, David Chapfika, had forgotten to prepare a Second Reading Stage report on the public hearings held on the issue.
Last month, Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa allowed for debate on the Bill to be adjourned in the National Assembly during the Second Reading Stage to allow Chapfika’s committee to conduct public hearings over the Bill before reporting back to Parliament.
But, when Chapfika was asked to present the committee report in order to open up debate by other MPs in the Second Reading Stage, he claimed that he had already presented it, before Chinamasa intervened and asked for deferment of debate to allow the forgetful MP to put his house in order.
“I recall that the chairman did not present the report and may I give him a chance to look for the report and adjourn the debate?” Chinamasa said.
Meanwhile, Chinamasa introduced the Second Reading Stage of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Bill, which he said would modernise and re-organise procurement procedures to curb corruption in the awarding of tenders.
“The Bill will transform the State Procurement Board into a new non-executive procurement authority tasked solely with providing the regulatory and oversight role, setting standards and guidelines, and monitoring compliance in procurement by entities such as government ministries, parastatals and local authorities,” Chinamasa said.
He said the new procurement law would ensure fair and equitable treatment of bidders, and promote public confidence in procurement processes.
Source: NewsDay