Government refutes opposition allegation on constitution making process

Government has refuted claims by the opposition political leaders that the ongoing constitution review process is going nowhere.

Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said the assertions are misplaced and misleading to the Zambian people.

ZANIS reports that Mr Sakeni, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said this in statement in Lusaka today.

He said government is on course to deliver a people driven constitution in line with its party manifesto.

The Government spokesperson hinted that Zambians from all walks of life among them youth’s, women, the clergy, farmer’s students, politicians and traditional rulers have, and continue to participate effectively and actively in shaping the principal of the land.

Mr Sakeni stated that a good and durable constitution is key to achieving sustainable social and economic development.

He lamented that this is the reason why Government is eager to have the constitution review process concluded on time in deepening the country’s democracy and development.

Government recently rejected a fresh proposal by the Technical Committee Drafting the Zambian Constitution-TCDZC to have a six months extension to the constitution making process.

Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba had maintained that the committee should conclude its programme of work by June 30, as earlier indicated.

Mr. Kabimba said allowing an extension entails that a further 44 million kwacha-rebased will be spent on the constitution building process, through a supplementary budget.

He said such expenditure will be unreasonable and outrageous in view of equally important social and economic development programmes.

ZANIS