Bill Watch - Parliamentary Committee Series [Public Hearings on Road Traffic Regulations; Committee Meetings Open to Public - 6-8 June]BILL WATCH
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE SERIES
[3rd June 2011]
1. Public Hearings on Statutory Instrument on Road Traffic Regulations
6th to 8th June in Mutare, Masvingo and Bulawayo
The House of Assembly Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development will be holding public hearings on the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use) Regulations [SI 154/2010]. This week they will be in Mutare, Masvingo and Bulawayo, as follows:
Monday 6th June: Mutare
Moffat Hall, Sakubva: from 9.00 am
Tuesday 7th June: Masvingo
Municipal Hall: from 9.00 am
Wednesday 8th June: Bulawayo
Small City Hall: from 9.00 am
The chairperson of the Thematic Committee is Hon Chebundo. The committee clerk is Ms Macheza.
The committee seeks public input on the regulations, some provisions of which have drawn criticism from both transport operators and ordinary motorists. Interested groups, business persons and organisations and all members of public are invited to attend the hearings, at which they will be given the opportunity to give evidence and make representations. Contributions made will be considered by the Committee in compiling a report to be tabled in Parliament. If you want to make oral representations, signify this to the Committee Clerk so that she can notify the chairperson to call on you. An oral submission is more effective if it is followed up in writing. If you are making a written submission, it is advisable to take as many copies as possible for circulation at the hearing.
If you are unable to attend a hearing, written submissions and correspondence may be addressed to: The Clerk of Parliament, Attention: Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development, P.O. Box CY298 Causeway, Harare. If delivering, please use the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue entrance to Parliament, between Second and Third Streets.
For further information contact the committee clerk, Ms Macheza. Telephone 04-700181, 252931, 252941, extension 2222. Email machezas@parlzim.gov.zw
Reminder about the Regulations Following amendments made by Statutory Instrument 44/2011, SI 154/2010 will come into force on 1st July 2011. The regulations that lay down a complete code of requirements for the construction and equipment of motor vehicles, replacing regulations dating from the early 1970s. Provisions that have hit the headlines and drawn criticism from the transport industry and the motoring public include:
prohibiting the importation into Zimbabwe after 31st October 2011 of second-hand motor vehicles that are more than five years old
prohibiting the registration of left-hand drive motor vehicles after 31st October 2011
prohibiting the use of left-hand drive heavy vehicles after 31st December 2015
requiring that all motor vehicles must have fire extinguishers and red reflective triangles complying with specifications detailed in the regulations from 1st July 2011.
In a recent public statement the Minister of Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development indicated his readiness to receive representations on contentious aspects of the regulations.
2. Committee Meetings Open to the Public
Meetings of Senate Thematic Committees and House of Assembly Portfolio Committees will resume on Monday 6th June. Most of the meetings are closed meetings for reviewing work plans, deliberating on draft reports, etc., but the following meetings are open to members of the public as observers only, not as participants, i.e. members of the public can listen but not speak.
Monday 6th June at 10 am
Portfolio Committee: Defence and Home Affairs
Briefing on landmines history in preparation for the Committees programme of visits to minefields to determine progress on clearing of landmines
Committee Room No. 2
Chairperson: Hon Madzore Clerk: Mr Daniel
Portfolio Committee: Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism
Update on CAMPFIRE Association and Timber Producers Association
Committee Room No. 311
Chairperson: Hon M. Dube Clerk: Mr Munjenge
Note: As there are sometimes last-minute changes to the meetings schedule, it is recommended that those wishing to attend a meeting avoid disappointment by checking with the relevant committee clerk that the meeting is still on and still open to the public. Parliaments telephone numbers are Harare 700181 or 252936. If attending, please use the Kwame Nkrumah Ave entrance to Parliament. IDs must be produced.
Veritas makes every effort to ensure reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied.