Wed, 30 Aug 2017 11:09:20 +0000
By Bennie Mundando
ATTEND the official opening of Parliament by President Edgar Lungu and respect and observe National Assembly etiquettes or risk having your seats nullified, the Zambian DNA has warned UPND MPs.
Zambian DNA spokesperson Spuki Mulemwa told the Daily Nation yesterday that there was need for all MPs to behave and live up to the expectations of all Zambians from law-makers who held the law in high esteem by being civil in the way they conducted themselves.
Mr. Mulemwa said notwithstanding what happened in the previous sitting where UPND MPs were suspended from the house for boycotting the last presidential address, his organisation expected them to act in a manner befitting the National Assembly.
Zambian DNA is appealing to all members of Parliament to respect and observe etiquette of the House by attending the official opening of Parliament by President Edgar Chagwa Lungu which is scheduled for next month.
“We expect the UPND leadership to act in a mature and patriotic manner by allowing their MPs to attend the official opening. All MPs must put the interests of the nation before self. MPs are elected to initiate, facilitate, coordinate and deliver the much needed development to their respective areas.
“However, what transpired in the last sitting of Parliament leaves much to be desired, as all UPND MPs spent most of their time politicking and abandoning their legislative duties.
We commend the dedication of Copperbelt MPs, who truly work hard to better the lives of the people in their constituencies. It is our prayer, that other MPs will emulate them,” Mr. Mulemwa said.
He said as the country was at the point of initiating dialogue and reconciliation for the two bitter political rivals, it was important that players exercise restraint in all their engagements so that they do not create another problem that would need dialogue to end.
“As we move towards the face to face dialogue and reconciliation talks between President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema, it is cardinal that politicians on all sides engage in a spirit of give and take and show respect to the Head of State,” he said.
