UNITED States (US) Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz says there is nothing wrong with Government tabling in Parliament non-contentious clauses of the draft constitution for possible enactment.
Mr Schultz said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that stakeholders should accommodate the government’s decision to take the non-contentious proposals to Parliament for amendment because some are people’s proposals.
“The issue of amending the constitution through a referendum is very important but people should understand that it will be very costly to hold a referendum, especially that Zambia will be holding the 2016 general elections.
“We have indicated that there is nothing wrong for the government to take the non-contentious issues in the constitution to Parliament for amendment and that people can wait for the contentious issues to be amended through a referendum after the general elections,” he said.
The envoy said people should be realistic about the constitution-making process and that the debate should now be centred more on resources.
Mr Schultz said Zambia has missed several opportunities of getting a new constitution that can stand the test of time and that time to achieve consensus is now.
He said Government’s plan shows good political will which stakeholders should embrace.
Mr Shultz also said he supports the proposal by the government to include only non-contentious clauses such as the presidential running mate and the 50 percent plus one vote threshold for the winning presidential candidate ahead of the 2016 tripartite elections.
Meanwhile, Mr Schultz has urged Government to come up with effective interventions to stop the illegal trade and poaching of animals in Zambia.
Mr Schultz said wildlife trafficking has continued to threaten the survival of iconic species such as rhinos and elephants, the security of the nation, economic development and environmental health.
He said this in Lusaka yesterday during a discussion programme on wildlife conservation in Zambia and the role the tourism sector plays in promoting economic development of the country.
“Poaching has continued to be an issue in Zambia and it is sad that Zambia has become the worst hit country in the southern Africa region. Government should, therefore, come up with effective interventions that will stop the illegal trade and poaching of wildlife in the country,” Mr Schultz observed.
He also said Government should not limit the fight of illegal wildlife trade to rhinos and elephants because Zambia is losing a number of other valuable wildlife resources which when protected can contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.
Mr Schultz reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to helping the Zambian government in preventing poaching and the illegal trafficking of wildlife in Africa.
And US Fish and Wildlife Services programme officer for African elephant and rhino programmes Michelle Gadd said poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife are cross-border problem that needs concerted efforts from all countries affected.
Ms Gadd, however, said she is happy that Zambia has already taken measures to curb the illegal trade as demonstrated by the review of the Zambia Wildlife Act and the Tourism Policy both aimed at strengthening the legal frame work.
She also urged the Zambian government to welcome international efforts to trace the sources of illegal wildlife such as the technology of carbon dating rhino horns that enables authorities to determine exactly which countries the animals came from.
Iwe Eric Schultz just come out in clear which people it is the UPND who oppose everything so long it is from the ruling party. Tell them in there face that what they are doing is retrogressive and costly for the nation.
Bloody hypocrites! At Independence Zambia had a Constitution that could ONLY be changed by referendum.
Then the Dictator KK changed that so he could push any change he wanted through his rubber-stamp UNIP Parliament. And that destroyed Zambia.
Now this Schultz is saying that is OK?
Hypocrite. Would Americans accept such nonsense? Of course not! So why should we?
I suppose he is merely expressing his opinion as he has a right to express his opinion. This issue is for Zambian masses to decide and not a non Zambian.
He maybe right but for starters the Zambian govt does not care about the resources and it is just an excuse. Secondly we know that the ruling party has the majority numbers in parliament and therefore, anything of the non contentious issues that they will table they will do as their numbers please. Just because some issues came from the citizens does not mean they should be adopted. The fear here is that PF will decide what is good for them because they have the capacity in parliament to conquer anything. If the resources really mattered, we would have not been experiencing so many by-elections anyway.
I AM LOVING THIS GUY……WELL SAID…..GO PARLIAMNET….GO PARLIAMNET
Eric Schultz HAS ALWAYS BEEN REALISTIC AND MEANS WELL FOR ZAMBIA. BUT, THE ANIMAL IN ZAMBIA IS THE OPPOSITION. OPPOSITION IN ZAMBIA MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO SAY NO TO EVERYTHING THAT IS COMING FROM THE RULING PARTY, WHETHER RIGHT OR WRONG OR EVEN IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE OPPOSING. BUILDING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IS A PREAMBLE FOR SUPERSTRUCTURES. BUT, THE OPPOSITION WOULD RATHER SAY, PEOPLE WILL NOT EAT ROADS AND BRIDGES. WHAT A THINKING FROM HIGHLY EDUCATED PEOPLE!
Unfortunately even in the USA republicans say no to any Obama plan