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Senior Reporter
The Parliament of Zimbabwe has received about US$4,8 million in grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to fund some of its activities until 2017.

The funds will go towards capacitating legislators, Parliament administration, the Auditor-General’s operations and to facilitate public participation in parliamentary processes through public hearings.

The money was availed under a multi-donor support programme for Parliament and the Office of the Auditor-General of Zimbabwe.

Finance and Economic Development permanent secretary Mr Willard Manungo, National Assembly Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda and UN Resident Co-ordinator Mr Bishaw Parajuli signed the funding agreement in Harare on Monday.

Cde Mudenda said the money was a major boost as it would enable Parliament to execute its three mandates – oversight, representation and legislation.

He said Zimbabwe was suffering from a liquidity crunch due to illegal sanctions, making it difficult for the country to access lines of credit for development activities.

“This development, Your Excellency, is very positive and by you associating with us gives the faith that we should be able to turn around our fortunes by working together with a wider section of the international community,” said Cde Mudenda.

“We are hoping that this assistance will impact on Parliament’s endeavour to ensure that there is accountability in the management of public funds and other resources as well as other services.

“It is our hope that because of this programme we will be more visible as Parliament to the outside world. We don’t intend to be visible for the sake of it. We want to be visible because there are results that tell a story about our constitutional democracy in Zimbabwe.”

Cde Mudenda said the money will be used to facilitate alignment of existing laws to the new Constitution as well as pursuing the statutory gender mainstreaming agenda.

Mr Parajuli said the UNDP and the UN were committed to working with the Government of Zimbabwe which has seen them having several consultations with the Office of the President and Cabinet.

“I feel particularly honoured because this is such an important role irrespective of everything we do. I think we need to see Zimbabwe standing on its own,” he said.

“We are committed to working with the Clerk of Parliament and his senior colleagues and the staff. We are committed and heavily engaged working with the Ministry of Finance.”

Mr Manungo said the multi-donor support programme would help Parliament to perform its core functions for improved legislative, representative and oversight role that promote public participation, accountability and gender equity.