Parly unveils strategic plan

THE Parliament of Zimbabwe yesterday launched its five-year strategic plan to guide operations from 2018 to 2023, which is aimed at strengthening the institution and coordinating its relations with other arms of the State.

Apart from the launch, Parliament was also presented with the latest Standards Association of Zimbabwe ISO 9001:2015 certificate.

Speaking at the event, Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda said the launch of the strategic plan and the certification attested to their pursuit of a strong, independent and people-driven Parliament.

“Our strategic plan will be an empty proposition if it does not sustain Parliament as a strong institution that is well resourced and always riding on the tenets of legality, rule of law, democratic governance and total adherence to constitutionalism. Our strategic plan must be able to solidify our Parliament as an independent institution, the second arm of the State with distinctive autonomy that is not blind to coordinate relationship with the executive and the judiciary,” said Adv Mudenda.

He added that the strategic plan would guide Parliament as a people-driven institution whose agenda was servant service delivery to citizens.

“Both members of Parliament and administration of Parliament must walk the talk and strictly adhere to the constitutional imperative, vision, mission and values espoused in the Institutional Strategic Plan,” said Adv Mudenda.

The Speaker said the ISO certification was an indication of their commitment to deliver quality service.

“It is also a bold re-affirmation of the commitment by our parliamentary staff to provide clinical quality service to us as guided by the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, the Constitution and the law.

“It is also a public commitment by Parliament to the citizens of Zimbabwe that qualitative parliamentary service delivery is guaranteed to them,” said Adv Mudenda.

He urged parliamentary staff to adhere to the Constitution and the vision and values espoused in the strategic plan.

“There ought to be an organisational culture change that guarantees that our staff remain actively and passionately committed to the implementation of the strategic plan,” he said.