President Edgar Lungu says he is open and available to consultations and visitations from the National Assembly.
President Lungu said he will freely avail himself at all times to the National Assembly Speaker Dr Patrick Matibini, Members of Parliament (MPs) and National Assembly staff.
Mr. Lungu also assured the Speaker, MPs and all National Assembly staff of continued enjoyment of their full rights and privileges accorded to them under the law.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State said this at State House in Lusaka today when he swore-in the Speaker Dr. Matibini, National Assembly first Deputy Speaker Catherine Namugala and Second Deputy Speaker Mwimba Malama.
“I shall be freely accessible to you Mr. Speaker, MPs and all National Assembly staff at all times as well as interpret their words and actions in most favourable manner,” the President said.
Dr. Matibini, Mrs. Namugala and Mr. Malama took their oaths where they pledged to show their allegiance, preserve and defend the republican constitution in the execution of their duties.
And speaking during the same event, National Assembly Speaker Patrick Matibini said MPs would also access themselves freely to the Head of State.
Earlier, National Assembly Clerk Doris Mwinga disclosed that the trio were this morning elected by the MPs in accordance with the Constitution Article 82 (6) and National Assembly Standing Orders 4 and 5.
Mrs. Mwinga further disclosed that Mrs. Namugala and Mr. Malama were elected with Standing Order 5 (16) provision.
“The Members of Parliament shall elect, by secret ballot, a Speaker of the National Assembly from a list of names of persons, who are qualified to be elected as Members of Parliament, but are not Members of Parliament, submitted to the National Assembly by the President; political parties holding seats in the National Assembly, a person is qualified to be elected as Speaker of the National Assembly if that person is a citizen by birth or descent; does not have dual citizenship; has been ordinarily resident in Zambia; and is at least thirty-five years old,” the Constitution reads in part.
Earlier in the day, the National Assembly elected Dr. Matibini as Speaker while Mrs. Namugala and Mr. Malama went un-opposed during the elections.
The today’s ceremony was witnessed by republican Vice President Inonge Wina, PF Secretary General Davies Mwila and his Deputy Mumbi Phiri , Some Cabinet Ministers, Secretary to Cabinet Roland Msiska, and other senior government officials attended the swearing in ceremony at State House .
Political prostitutes who sell justice and thelaw to the highest bidder.
These are the colluders in murdering law in Zambia. They are the modern day Pharisees.
Yet again Edgar Lungu has missed a chance to nominate high qualified individuals to the office of Deputy Speaker. What bother me most is how non-university educated individuals are being honoured. Matibini work will certainly not be easy this time. Whereas the previous office holders – Chifumu Banda and Mukondo Lungu – were highly educated seasoned professionals who brought honour to these positions, these two individuals are a total joke. With these individuals Edgar is really going out of his depth. Cry for mother Zambia
Congratulations Dr.Matibini,Mrs Mugala and Mr. Malama. Do not be biased towards the ruling party.
@ Democrat well said. I wouldn’t have said it better.
Suspicious Assasin SMS from: 00260965521871
I was contacted from my Zambian contacts that they received a message on one of my Zambian phones from an Number: 00 260 965521871. Stating that they are diplomatic security and would like to meet up with me. I have forwarded this number to Diplomatic security to confirm if at all they contacted me, as Gilbert Phiri of PNP Advocates, Makebi Zulu Advocates name.y Jonas Zimba and Margaret Muyoba and their accomplices, including a Ugandan whom they stole my vehicle through are attempting to kill me after they stole my belongings worth over $300,000 in abuse of state machinery and abuse of the court process.
I need all those who know who this person is to assist in finding them out, and having them to account for attempted murder and…
I am pretty certain mudzungus burst out laughing each time they see us blacks wearing these old and ancient WIGS. We are never a serious pipo and little wonder, they keep writing our history and distorting it along the way. Surely can’t we design our own to symbolise that hopeless house of parliament? Shame…
How can we modernize when we are failing to interpret the constitution which was written by the so called learned people. These chaps look silly in those wigs. Any record of these wigs else where in modern parliaments apart from Zambia? South African parliament is superb. Dress as you like! Seen those guys in boiler suits? I think the House of Commons have ditched the wigs!
@5.1, If you are the antthesis of everything Western initiative, why are you using their innovation of internet solutions? Why are not protesting at their every innovation, lingo and society? I see here you are under no duress blogging instead of remaining preoccupied with your native night jets with a legacy of crash landing in public places at night. Understand the perils of Community of nations and your call to action. You propagate your values and public perceptual selectivity power will decide if worthwhile.
@senior citizen – how are you even senior sir with such thinking. Nkope has put on very valid points but because you have been damaged educationally, you think the internet was designed by the white man only in one day. You cant be saved. you too old. matibini take off that wig, it doesnt make sense. when are you going to show your worth as an educated person by saying. we will determine ourselves what parliament is going to be called. say inska and we shall have this dress code for the speaker whom hence forth we shall call intambishi. think, and make your own things.
Is this Cather na Mugala a grade 12 I thought all office bearers should be grade 12 or does that apply to only mps
But you have just answered yourself.
Sometimes I don’t even read the story, I just enjoy the postings. @6 Namugala is above grade 12 unlike master forger called gbm
Since when did Namugala become Mrs??? Austin????
Follow…follow..follow…follow the leader! If your leader is a thief and you follow him it also follows that you too are a thief – simple! A thief cant be my PRESIDENT!
Mulimba, the president of Zambia National Union of Farmers is a DR. What can you admire about the stories from the Union? The current constitution was managed by highly educated Zambians. What can you admire from the new constitution?
Mulimba, Mugabe if far much educated than Mandela. Who can you admire between the two? Education in Zambia has just become nothing but a way of taking advantage of the poor who can’t defend themselves. Which professor in Zambia can beat the uneducated, late king cobra, Michael Chilufya Sata? Who can admire this leakage full kind of education.