The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) is keenly awaiting the outcome of the meeting between the Executive, the National Assembly of Zambia and the Opposition Parliamentary Whips on the constitution making process.
FODEP hopes the tripartite meeting proposed by the Speaker of the National Assembly and scheduled for today (4th March, 2014) over the constitution impasse will not be a window dressing one aimed at easing the simmering tension in the House among opposition MPs demanding for the immediate release of the Final Draft Constitution.
It should be a meeting intended to enable parliamentary business continue after disruptions last week but one that will respond to the demands of all Zambians on the constitution. Zambians are expectant and are expecting no less than the release of the Final Draft Constitution now.
Further, FODEP would like to challenge government to explain the role of the proposed Legal and Justice Reform Commission, whose members we are told are to be sworn soon.
Our prayer is that this should not be another super structure or commission aimed at gobbling the country’s resources without tangible results at the expense of shortages of drugs in hospitals across the country. We also wish to inquire whether this commission is budgeted for.
FODEP’s appeal to government is to first account for the utilization of the ZMK115million meant for the Drafting of the New Zambian Constitution since it has failed to release the final Draft Constitution before creating another Commission.
By
McDonald Chipenzi
Executive Director
Ifyabupuba
Pressure pressure pressure MPs faka pressure bakoswe bachoke. These crooks cheated us that they will give us a constitution. We want it now. No playing kabisebise.
It is just a trick to be used to buy time. they will soon start saying just wait for the report from this new commission which will be just before next elections, gobbling billions again for nothing.
I only hope poeple have taken time to got through the same constitution.My fear is that we are more focused on 50+1 and the running mate issue.what about other criticals issues.Can someoneone educate me otherwise we are fighting the battle for the politicians.
We do not have the draft yet. So we have nothing to go through and compare with the animal one we have.
@helo. What are you doing to even say you are fighting politicians issue? There is nothing you are doing. Dont even make comments.
The meeting has been moved to another date. UPND MP Garry Nkombo has submitted a private member’s motion that will force government to put a legal framework and road map for the constitution making process…debate was disrupted again as opposition MPs refused to ask questions to the executive. Parliament adjourned again. More than 300 police officers deployed at parliament building.
OK. But behave yourselves, lest you are deemed to be as under five as some UNZA students.
You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.