Delegates at the just-ended Provincial Constitution Convention in North Western Province have unanimously resolved to change the system of governance from a unitary to a federal state.
Three traditional leaders, namely Chief Munjimanjovu, Senior Chief Kanongesha and Chieftainess Nyakuleng’a submitted that a unitary state does not blend well with some clauses in the preamble of the draft constitution such as commit, recognise and uphold.
They further submitted that a unitary state was a recipe for dictatorship.
And Solwezi Central Member of Parliament, Lucky Mulusa, submitted that the people of North Western Province stood for a federal state.
He said that even if a federal system of governance was not adopted nationally, history will remain to the future generations to learn that the people of North-Western Province stood for it.
Meanwhile, Committee Member, Mwangala Zaloumis, said the draft constitution was written based on a unitary State, hence certain elements will have to be redone.
Ms Zaloumis explained that if the whole nation adopted a federal system of governance then the whole draft constitution will have to be revisited.
And Professor Patrick Mvunga explained that the previous constitution commissions, namely the Mvuinga, Mwanakatwe and Mung’omba have adopted for a unitary State.
ZANIS
What the reps in NWP are discussing is new business, and not part of the current agenda.Â
In short, Â they failed to engage with what is under consideration. In certain forums they would have been ruled out of order.Â
We are too cultural divided for such a set up…
End of the day we have to look at which system will benefit the ordinary zambian. Money spent for a good reason is money worth it. Its food for thought. If people are stealing billion of dollars from government , why not spend money on adopting a federal system. The NWP chiefs should hold meetings with chiefs from other provinces with their respective MPs to see the way forward. Nothing is impossible.
Well said. Â Everything that has happened in Zambia to date points to a federal system of govt. let the people lead themselves. The US is most successful precisely for this reason – unitary system is hitherto too open to abuse and dictatorship!
Well well well, you can see how Sata’s Bembanized government has sown seeds of division in this country. You bet what they are calling for is secession like their Barotse cousins who have no qualms mincing their words. Whether we like it or not Zambia is doomed.
North western province is part of the Barotseland.
Zambia’s doom can only be foreseen if you are high on Ganja
Lucky Mulusa, when are u also denouncing your South African citizenship?
Of course. And this is coming from our nation’s richest province. It’s sad to see that NWP is practically feeding & employing our nation yet it’s this president’s most disposed province. And of all the mining wealth it generates for the nation, north western gets the hyena’s share. Our president needs good advisors & a listening attitude before its too late for our land one day soon. We have only one Zambia & no need to divide us because of tribalist insecure politicians
I don’t think a federal state is going to divide Zambia,no it will in fact unite it more. there is no need for each province to be afraid because all provinces will work hard to produce what can be sold. they will awake to be surprised at how much wealth has been laying idle for years! to give an idea,one province can decide to be industrially manufacturing equipment or cars while another be best at agricutural produce and still another in minerals. A call for a federal government is one in the good direction,just try to be positive in your mind and you will see why the USA uses it and back home in Africa,why Nigeria. In fact democracy without federal states is masquerading dictatorship in Africa. This is what the barotse people should have called for instead.
U talking sense, Australia also is governed by the same system and it’s flourishing .
The Barotse were calling for the restoration of the Barotse Agreement. They were entitled to do so because this is the only legal basis for being part of Zambia. Technically with honouring the Agreement they ceased to be part thereof, so they correctly argued. The onus really was on the Zambian govt to come up with a governance structure that would give powers and responsibilities to all provinces not just Barotseland. The Barotse were arguing on the basis of Their Agreement .
president sata please sort out this NWP story just like the BRE..IF YOU find some pipo wanting seek audence…
Yes,please set up a federal state system and we the neglected folks from Nakonde,Tunduma and nearby areas will only be too happy.We may even secede to join Tz where there’s ujamaa na undugu.We’re too neglected to feel part of the zambian family.
Same old Commissioners why?
Way to go Kaonde’s we are tired of these people stealing from us, sign me up am coming to fight. Lets join with the our Lozi cousins, just tired of this BS. Redo the constitution it will not be the first time.
Kaondes be carefull. These Lozis are supporting the federal system bcoz they know that they will soon start fighting with you over baroste nonsense. They claim even part of North Western is theirs. Thats how greedy they are. So consult extensively. Nkoyas know them very well.
Ignorance is very bad. You would expect all people in Diaspora to be knowledgeable but some are so ignorant. America, Australia, Nigeria, South Africa have a federal state system of governance and yet they are not divided. Even Nigeria with its militant Muslims is not a divided country politically. we need a federal state system for Zambia to develop. How do you justify 2 universities and other infrastructures being built in Sata’s province (s) when the province that is producing the wealth of the country does not even have one govt major project? All provinces should demand a federal state system of governance. Well done NWP chiefs fro speaking out.
theyhave bigger populations thats why-
So you tell your children that am sending all our money to my brother since he has a bigger family than us. What a shallow thought.
Open favouritism/neglect is the source of calls such as the one by NWP chiefs. Given the current Zambian political scenario a federal system is the way to go.
Why not rewrite the constitution if that is what the people are asking for? Â You have asked for their views – it’s no point saying “only comment on what we have put on agenda”. Â People are intelligent enough to see that what is on the agenda is what they want! Â Why wasn’t the federal option included, is my question?
…”Is NOT what they want”
This constitution making process has not started yet, seemingly! When you have just scored a goal, the goal post position is changed, the village football way. How much more will have been spent by the end of this process? Does the cost matter to anyone? Are there other priority are where the so much money being spent on his process can be put to use, asking whether a dog is male or female when anyone can see. Anyone has seen the blind people, the orphans, the suffering is everywhere! Rural people in perpetual cry for development, etc, etc. But the colossal sums being spent on this constitution, govt after govt, is way too much! South Africa wwith its
Mvuinga, Mwanakatwe and Mung’omba have adopted for a unitary State. So what? did adoption turn into a constituion???, it is still in draft form so any thing can happen if people have seen FEDERAL STATE is what they wish to have. YOU ARE just syphoning money, Number 16: You hace a point. How many constitution review commision were held so far, Mungomba, Muvunga, Mwnakwatwe and the lates committee lead by Chifumu Banda, during MMD and now this committee appointed by PF. You chaps are just stealing money day light. One year gone?? The uge expenditure can be channeled to do research and UNZA?? UNZA keeps on closing and due to limited funds, National Research Institute (NISIR) is a white elephant have not funds for research, and many other vital instituions like UTH.