Mr Kunda said in Parliament yesterday that the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) should expedite its work on two of its committees’ reports which are remaining.
“We want the constitution-making process to end on the 31st of August, 2010. That is our vision. We do not want to prolong the process,” he said.
Mr Kunda was winding up debate on the National Constitutional Conference Amendment Bill which passed second reading.
He said the NCC should quickly conclude work in the remaining committees so that other processes in the constitution-making process are done.
Mr Kunda said Government is set to have the constitution-making process end despite a number of members of Parliament insisting that the process should not be rushed because of next year’s general elections.
He also said Government will make amendments to the National Constitutional Conference Act to provide for 40 days in which Zambians will be required to make submissions on the work of the conference.
Earlier, Katuba member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa said while he supported the amendment bill, there was need for all members of Parliament to start sensitising people about the need to make submissions on the work of the NCC during the period the draft constitution will be subjected to the public.
Namwala member of Parliament Robbie Chizyuka said the 30 days that has been provided for the NCC to get comments from the public on the constitution is insufficient.
Major Chizyuka warned that the public should be vigilant against people who might use money so that their agendas are pushed forward.
Sinda member of Parliament Levy Ngoma said he supported the amendment bill and reiterated that the constitution should not be rushed because of next year’s elections.
Mr Ngoma said if the process is rushed, the country may regret.
“The constitution-making process is being looked at from a political angle. We want a good constitution.
It is not good to rush the process for next year’s elections because we might regret,” he said.
The bill has been referred to the committee stage.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
As mention before, the NCC should only be dissolved after its accounts have been audited.
How does Kafupi FTJ Chiluba feel now that the constitution is being revised from his Congolese phrases to real Zambian clauses? It is a shame for this man to have done what he did. We can forgive KK because the man never championed democracy in the first place, but for FTJ Kafupi who excelled on democratic principles to power and later changed the tone, it is really a shame to the man. Abash Kafupi, abash SATAN and his third term campaigns. Moreover you are the ones who deported me to Malawi for calling Kafupi a Congolese thief.
Long overdue. We wanted the Constituent Assembly but you did not give it to us. Piss off!!!!
#2, You are out of touch, read the topic, are you blind? Hatred is not welcomed in this age and time. This is new zambia