PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has urged lawyers to guide citizens on the constitution making process and ensure that the process of enacting a new constitution does not become an elite project by a privileged few but a national project.
Mr Lungu has also urged national and political leaders to join hands in promoting tolerance and unity in the country.
He said lawyers had a responsibility not just to their profession but to the nation as whole in taking a centre state in the constitution making process and in guiding the process of enacting a new constitution.
Mr Lungu, who is also a lawyer, was speaking in Livingstone at Zambezi Sun Hotel on Saturday night during the gala dinner for the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ)’s 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The LAZ AGM took place after the 4th annual conference which was held under the theme ‘Zambia at 50 – independence of the judiciary and challenges to the regulation of the legal profession’.
Mr Lungu said he had a discussion with few State Counsels recently where he made it clear to them that lawyers had left the process of constitution making process to civil society and other sections of society.
He said unlike in the past, Zambia was currently privileged to have lawyers heading the three arms of Government namely the Executive as well as the Legislature or Parliament and the Judiciary.
“As lawyers, let us not allow ourselves to be manipulated by people who are self-acclaimed messiahs of the Zambian people on the constitution making process.
“I grieve every time when I read civil society or church members or any other organisation championing the constitution making process. It is your calling or responsibility as lawyers to take a centre stage in guiding people on matters such the constitution making process,” Mr Lungu said.
He said Government was committed to continue moving forward with the constitution review process as outlined in the released document.
“I have nothing to hide or fear in delivering a new constitution to the Zambian people in the shortest and most practical time possible.
“But I will insist that the cost of delivering this document must be measured against pressing need to address the inexcusable poverty and squalor in some parts of the country,” Mr Lungu said.
He said there was need for the country to act responsibly and avoid recommending methods which were not conscious of pressing need to address poverty,” he said.
He also assured lawyers that Government was determined to rejuvenate to rejuvenate the Judiciary saying Cabinet would today (Monday) look at the composition of the new Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Meanwhile, Mr Lungu has urged national and political leaders to join hands in promoting tolerance and unity in the country.
He said his Government shall not tolerate actions of sectionalism, and violence particularly those based on tribal or political affiliation saying there was need to promote the slogan of One Zambia One Nation.
“Government intends to address regionalism and tribalism sentiments exhibited during the recent presidential election.
“We must jealously guard the peace that we have enjoyed all these years even in the midst of political diversity,” Mr Lungu said.
He also said assured lawyers that his Government would not tolerate unwarranted attacks on the judiciary that seeks to undermine the desired legitimacy which the important arm of Government must enjoy.
Mr Lungu also asked lawyers to cooperate with the Attorney General Likando Kalaluka despite a recent position which LAZ took against his recommended appointment.
Earlier, LAZ president George Chisanga said delegates resolved that the Legal Aid Clinic should engage line Ministries and seek financial assistance from the Government to help members of society who can’t afford legal services.
Mr Chisanga asked the Government to address challenges associated with the composition of the Judicial Service Commission.
In a vote of thanks, a State Counsel Vincent Malambo congratulated Mr Lungu on his recent election victory as President of the Republic of Zambia.
Mr Malambo agreed with Mr Lungu that lawyers should take a driver’s seat in the constitutional making process and help Government to deliver the document.
“LAZ has listened to your plea. We should be leading Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and not the other way round.
“The process, going forward, should be better defined and the role of LAZ should be better articulated so that we are more helpful than being obstructive to the process,” he said.
He said President Lungu was bringing in a lot of fresh air in the country as he was giving a true hope in his leadership.
Edgar Lazy is all talk!!
How much did he have to drink? He is drunk as usual, haa haa, ah, a drunk President! Africa, what a continent. The rule of thumb in Africa is “if it doesn’t work, if the result is guaranteed failure, if nobody else outside of Africa ever does it, do it.” that way you will always be a backward continent. A drunk President? where in the world? Africa
This ECL is doing better each day. I think he is right on the constitution making process. Other people are just loud so that they can be heard and are only interested in one thing 50+1! We need one that can last and not be changed when He Himself thinks of changing it.
Halazonda Halanaka
Too busy on the road ..that is just too many events to attend to in one day across towns SDA church, Heroes Stadium match past and now Galla in another town. No wonder he collapses due to low energy as they say or claim
If he sits at State House you will say he can’t be seen in public because he is sick.
Let the constitution making process be an all-inclusive exercise devoid of any political interference. The public should be totally be civically educated on it before a referundum is called. Lungu seems determined and thus all relevant bodies should participate for the well being of all Zambians.
MAN KENYA – What is sad is that LAZ has to be reminded by the president on what their role is. NGOs (imperialists’ agents according to Bob) are busy misleading instead of guiding people.
Well said President ECL.
Ba Lusaka Times please stop publishing the face of Edgar lungu. His ugly and Kachasu infested face is scaring my little children at home. my two daughters normally experience nightmares each time the see this sangoma haunted face. just publish the rubish he says and not his images, they are a threat to children.
Hope my request will be accepted and thanks in anticipation.
Sorry for my STUP1D comments about ECL
@ Hildah Malama: Beauty lies on the eyes of the beholder. Drop your pride as this is God’s choice 2015 and beyond and the earlier you appreciate and accomodate him, the better as he represents Zambia’s figure even in international platforms. You will be seeing quite often. The simplest you can do in the meantime is to get rid of yourself. Besides, how handsome is this perennial loser you keep singing for us? May be YOU are equally ugly or worse off. True beauty is not about having a pretty face. It is about having pretty mind, pretty heart, pretty soul accompanied by your principles and moral compass.
It’s true remove the close-up photos coz the man is too ugly! My dog couldn’t stop barking at the computer screen!!
Hildah Malama
Shows us picture for Wiso,Noko and yourself.
Start by showing us yourself and your kids who are having nightmares when ever they see the photos of HEECL.
RED CARD! HH MUST GIVE CHANCE TO OTHERS
Where is the UPND Think Tank? Everyday we have to listen to PF talking, and telling us what? Let us have our agenda to get into power come 2016.
My agenda still stands. HH who has lost 5 times must give others a chance. I am floating Garry. Uchiyanda Achileke biyo cause we can not keep a losing candidate, and continue having irrelevant night beer parties celebrating loses (every Province celebrated, shame). We are not mad!
I know others have their own preferred candidates, but let us have a Think Tank now to plan for 2016.
We should avoid importing people from PF , MMD OR Rainbow (although there is a clique moving to Rainbow, a NEWLY BORN DEAD PARTY (STILL BIRTH)!
If people still think I am mad, as they have started calling me, SHUT…
zambians grow up and show our president some respect.
ka hillda you an ***** who does not think,shows us your husband or your father,or your face