Parliament urges effective implementation of new safety…

The Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters has emphasised the need for effective implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act Number 16 of 2025 which has been enacted into law for the benefit of Zambians. Speaking when the Committee paid a courtesy call on North-Western Province Permanent Secretary Colonel Grandson Katambi (Rtd) in Solwezi today Committee Chairperson Sibeso Sefulo said the Committee was in the province to engage stakeholders and raise awareness on the Bill and ensure its effective implementation. Ms Sefulo who is also Mwandi Constituency Member of Parliament said engagements with key stakeholders such as the Occupational Health and Safety Institute will also enable the Committee to identify gaps in existing legislation early and enhance effective implementation.

Meanwhile, North-Western Province Permanent Secretary Colonel Grandson Katambi (Rtd) said Government is happy with the operationalisation of the Occupational Health and Safety Institute in the province. Colonel Katambi (Rtd) noted that the province was a mining region and therefore required such services to be readily accessible. He added that the operationalisation of the Institute had significantly reduced logistical costs that stakeholders previously incurred when traveling to the Copperbelt Province to access similar services.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary called on the Committee to consider conducting an independent, comprehensive assessment to determine the exact quantity and types of minerals currently being extracted by mining companies in the province. And Committee Member Wesley Kolala said there is need to ensure that Bills enacted into law such as the Local Content Bill are proactively and strictly implemented for the benefit of Zambians