Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have again walked out from parliament.
The MPs walked out at 11:30 hours, 45 minutes after the morning break.
Chairman for Committees Chifumu Banda adjourned the sitting to Tuesday, 23rd October, 2012.
Yesterday, the MPs walked out from the House and vowed not to attend the proceedings of the House when it is time to debate the 2013 national budget if Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda who is acting President will continue to be absent during deliberations.
The opposition MPs said they were not happy with Mr. Chikwanda’s continued absence from the House.
Some MPs talked to by ZANIS said the House had not been informed who was acting Finance Minister since Mr. Chikwanda was acting Head of State.
The parliamentarians demanded that Mr. Chikwanda be physically present to listen to various debates on the budget that he presented to the house.
“We are here to represent our people and we are not happy that Mr. Chikwanda is not around as Finance Minister to listen to our concerns raised on the budget he presented.
This is the third time the opposition MPs were walking out of the House this week despite several rulings by Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini who cautioned them that there was no dis-functionality in the House as a result of the walkouts.
And Government Chief Whip, Yamfwa Mukanga challenged the opposition MPs over their decision saying they should inform the electorates on whether they were tired of being in Parliament so that they could be replaced through fresh elections.
Mr Mukanga who is Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister said in a separate interview that the stance by the MMD and UPND Parliamentarians would not solve anything.
He said the opposition law makers needed to be in the House and continue debating to foster national development.
ZANIS
Now that Vasco da Gama is coming back today, chikwanda will definitely be in the house next Tuesday, no opposition MP will walk out. Yamfwa should know that debating on that matter will be like gossiping. Who was going to answer any question if any?
Kaingu will tear the budget copy if ur playing, just present yoself in the house Mr Chikwanda. Imwe Ba Yamfwa Mkanga which fresh blood are u talking about???? So to u MCS, Scott, That Mrs Wina, Chikwanda, John Phiri, Shamenda, Masebo, Dr Luo among all thoz old folks looks lyk fresh blood 2u??? Ikalenifye and u know the oppsition is bigger than u. Imwe naimwe ba opposition we want positive contributions not iyooooooooo…
this is the best opposition ever..no rubber stamping sir..hahahaha
What does the constitution say about this kind of Hormonal behavior?
Chikwanda you moved a motion , bring your arse back to parliament and defend it. Mukanga or whatever your noun is grow up and acquaint yourself with parliamentary procedures. PF you are the worst govt in Zambia’s history!
honestly how can the MPs debate on the budget when the minister of finance is absent,who is going to answer their questions or how is the minister going to get their concerns.yamfwa please don’t intimidate the MPs,just do what is right.
Which people do these MPs represent apart from the benefiries of the 2013 Budget?
In all fareness, there is no vacancy for Mof as Chikwanda still remains minister.
Is it that the Budget caught the opposition pants down and they have nothing to oppose?
Dont be crazy you chaps Chikwanda has his deputy miles sampa who can handle any question these MPs are so shallow and backward they never walk out during real issues very childish indeed.
@7. Tuso. You are an ignorant soul. A Deputy Minister cannot act in place of a Minister. A deputy minister is not a member of the cabinet. The whole lot of you PF guys are just a bunch of Kaponyas. If you don’t understand governmental procedures please just excuse yourselves for you are destroying the country!
Goncalves, it is you who is the lost soul. Tuso did NOT say Miles Sampa is acting Finance Minister. He said “Chikwanda has his deputy miles sampa who can handle any question”. In other words, Miles can “represent” Chikwanda without being “acting Minister”, much the same way a Minister represents the president at a function such as a diplomatic function without that minister assuming the title of “acting President.
Dull opposition. I think they have nothing to debate about the 2013 budget coz it is just too good. You see how they remain quiet about the budget and will start debating other things not in the budget. Childish opposition they are indeed.
Peace and Prosperity to Mother Zambia.
Hatred has a way of blinding even the most intelligent. Miles Sampa is an economist/accountant and he helped us get the $750 million bond even when the finance minister was 5000 miles away acting as president . Dr Scott does not act as President because stupid primitive *****s wanted to take it out on him for being born of british parents despite being a zambian. Ask Dr Rodger Chongwe, Given Lubinda, Dipak Patel, Aaron Milner, Simon Zukas and the founding father himself. These old men and women understood only too well. Mrs elijah mudenda just past, and we are still arguing tribal bull crap. I refuse to disrespect a mother, grandmother, great grandmother just because she was tonga? I refuse this gabbage as a bemba but most important, a Zambian.