Friday, March 29, 2024

NCC deliberations kick off

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The National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has today opening in Lusaka in readiness to start debating the Mung’omba draft constitution, adopt it and later present it to parliament for enactment.

Officially opening the first meeting of the NCC, President Levy Mwanawasa asked members of the conference to responsibly, objectively, patriotically and without any political influence, debate the draft constitution and come up with a final one that would satisfy all citizens.

Dr. Mwanawasa said NCC members should realize that national interest was more paramount than anything else.

“This exercise is not about opposition political parties versus MMD and its government or opposition political parties, certain churches and civil society organizations versus Levy Patrick Mwanawasa,” he said.

He said if members of the NCC were to approach the exercise with attitudes, they would hurt the national interest.

He urged the members of the NCC to work towards formulating a document that would be accepted and liked by any government and president even after he has left office.

And President Mwanawasa has congratulated members of the NCC, especially those coming from political parties, civil society organizations and church mother bodies that did not support the NCC.

“I laud you for exhibiting true and mature leadership on this matter. I invite you now that let us move together with unity of purpose by giving ourselves a constitution we can all be proud, a constitution which even though our friends have chosen not to participate in this conference, they can all come to respect and can join the rest of the nation in congratulating all of you for a job well done,” he said.

The President further said he could not understand why some sections of the community were raising concern over the cost of the NCC process, which they could be spent on other developmental projects.

He said was in fact far less expensive than other processes that could be used to adopt the constitution.

He explained that the NCC had the support of the majority as it was accepted by political parties under the Zambia Interparty Dialogue through a summit of president.

Dr. Mwanawasa reminded Zambians that the legislative power was vested in parliament under article 62 of the present constitution of Zambia.

Earlier, Minister of Justice, who is also convener of the first meeting of the NCC, George Kunda urged members to realize that they were meeting as one family charged with the responsibility of coming up with a good constitution for the Zambians.

The NCC has about 462 members, representing various social interests in the country.

Some of the issues contained in the draft constitution that the NCC is to debate include the bill of rights and its enforcement, citizenship, economic and social rights, representation of people and public finance and budget.

Others issues are political party funding and registration, executive, legislative, judiciary, Chieftaincy and house of chiefs, land and property, and environment and natural resources.

Justice Minister George giving his remarks said NCC members expect the person that will be elected to guide them in coming up with a better constitution.

He said NCC members are meeting as one family with a conscious that Zambians are expectant of a document that will stand the test of time.

Mr. Kunda, who was the convenor of the meeting said the meeting has been convened in accordance with section 2 (5) 2007 and by the authority vested in him following the enactment of the NCC act.

He said NCC has a maximum of one year in which to complete its mandate but however stated that it can ever shorten the period or extend it.

The Justice Minister however stressed on the need for the NCC to expedite the business of the conference.

Meanwhile, Two participants to the National Constitution Commission (NCC) have successfully filed their nominations for the post of Chairperson.

These areChasefu MP, Chifumu Banda and Dr Patrick Matibini.

Mrs Mwangala Zaloumis went through unopposed as spokesperson for the NCC which started sittings today.

The nomination results were announced returning officer from the Electoral Commissionof ZAmbia (ECZ), Mrs Joseline Mubita this evening.

Voting for the NCC chairperson will be conducted tomorrow at 14:00hrs.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Confusing: Mwawasana says “the NCC will debate the draft constitution and come up with a final one that would satisfy all citizens” while it is reported “the NCC will analyse and make recommendations, to the president, out of the Mungomba recommendations”
    Who is telling the truth??

  2. #1.
    Lex. I should confess am as confused as you are.
    Dose this man Knows wat he is doing or wat the NCC will be deliberating?.
    I think he is Animating

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