Cabinet has approved for publication and introduction in Parliament the National Pension Scheme Amendment Bill, 2023 alongside five other bills.
Chief Government Spokesperson CHUSHI KASANDA says the objective of the Bill is to amend the National Pension Scheme Act, to enable it provide for members to access pre-retirement benefits.
Ms. KASANDA says the current legislation does not provide for access to contributions by members before retirement which deprives them an opportunity to either venture into business or own assets.
Ms. KASANDA, who is also Information and Media Minister, has disclosed that the other Bills include the Rural Electrification Bill 2023, the Environmental Management Bill 2023 and The Controlled Substances Bill 2023.
Others are the Examination Council of Zambia Bill 2023, and the Teaching Profession Amendment Bill, 2023.
In a statement released to ZNBC NEWS, Ms. KASANDA said Cabinet has also found it necessary to repeal and replace the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1967, to deal with substance abuse and provide sufficient regulation of controlled substances.
She also disclosed that Cabinet has approved the appointment of Members of Six Boards among them; the Patents and Companies Registration Agency -(PACRA), Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) and Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
Other Boards approved are for the National Housing Authority (NHA), Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB)
