The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Tourism, has today officially opened a nationwide stakeholders’ consultative meeting on three pivotal bills designed to revolutionize the preservation and management of the nation’s cultural heritage in Muchinga Province.

The consultative process, which will be conducted across all ten provinces, focuses on the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) Bill, the Heritage Regulations Bill, and the Museums Bill. These “layman bills” are being presented to stakeholders to gather critical input to enhance them further before they are tabled for legislative processes.

In his opening address during the official opening of the stakeholders engangement meeting in Chinsali, Deputy Permanent Secretary Brian Sichande emphasized that the main objective of these consultations is to identify gaps, potential implementation challenges, and opportunities for strengthening the proposed legislation.

“The development of these bills demonstrates Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that will enhance movable heritage conservation and underscore its position as an economic asset,” DPS stated. “I commend the Ministry of Tourism for adhering to Government’s directive to hold wide consultations, which demonstrates a commitment to openness, transparency, and accountability.”

Key Highlights of the Proposed Legislation:

1. The Museums Bill: This landmark bill comes on the heels of Cabinet’s recent approval of the first-ever National Museums Policy since Independence. It is set to shape the legal framework for the entire museums sub-sector, providing clear guidelines for establishing institutional, provincial, district, community, and private museums.

2. The National Heritage Conservation Commission Bill: This revised bill represents a decisive step towards strengthening the legal and institutional framework for safeguarding Zambia’s rich cultural and historical assets. It proposes clear procedures for realigning responsibility over movable heritage and establishes mechanisms to balance national development with conservation needs.

3. The Heritage Regulation Bill: This bill proposes the creation of an independent regulatory body to be domiciled at the Department of Culture and Heritage. This body will have the mandate to regulate both movable and immovable heritage, aligning with the Government’s policy of separating regulatory and management functions from implementers.

In conclusion, Mr. Sichande reaffirmed Government’s unwavering commitment to preserving Zambia’s national heritage for present and future generations through effective legislation and strong institutions.

Government encourages all stakeholders to participate actively in this crucial process to ensure the resulting laws are robust, effective, and truly representative of the nation’s aspirations for its cultural heritage.