Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Cabinet has approved the culling of Hippos in the Luangwa River and the publication and introduction of three bills in Parliament during the current sitting.
In a statement obtained by Q-News, Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya says the bills namely the Statistics bill, 2018, the Border management and trade facilitation bill,2018 and the Constituency development fund bill,2018 were approved during the 18th Cabinet meeting held at State House yesterday.
Ms Siliya says the introduction of the statistics bill will provide for the establishment of an integrated national statistical system and mechanisms for coordination, collection, processing, storage, use, management and presentation of statistics and publication of official statistical information.
Ms Siliya says the bill which has been prepared following the repeal of the Census and Statistics Act,CAP 127 of the Laws of Zambia will also ensure best practice of collection of statistics as well as credibility of statistics through an Independent Statistical Agency.
She says the border management and trade facilitation bill aims to provide for coordinated border management and control for the efficient movement and clearance of goods, give effect to provisions of agreement on one-stop border posts, provide for simplified arrangements with adjoining states relating to the movement and clearance of goods; authorize the application of the laws of Zambia and the laws of adjoining states in one-stop border posts among others.
Ms Siliya says Cabinet also approved the constituency development bill after noting the need to ensure accountability by providing for mechanisms of disbursing funds to constituencies and operationalise the constituency development fund as established under the constitution.
The Chief Government Spokesperson says Cabinet further upheld the contract between the now defunct Zambia Wildlife Authority now Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Mabwe Adventures Limited on Hippo culling along the Luangwa River.
She says the current population of hippos in the Luangwa river which is at 13,000 is beyond the carrying capacity and that as a result, the hippos are causing considerable damage to the environment, river banks and continue to threaten the sustainability of the river system.