Respect President, MPs told
By REBECCA CHILESHEVICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda says some members of Parliament are lowering the standards of debate in the House by continuously attacking the President without adequate facts.
This was echoed by MPs who raised concern over the continuous attacks on the presidency by some politicians.
Mr Kunda said when winding up debate on the estimates of revenue for the Office of the President that some issues raised on the vote were unsubstantiated and were tantamount to politicking.
He said it is wrong for anyone to suggest that some of the trips abroad made by President Banda for various international meetings are unnecessary.
Mr Kunda said all trips made by the President are progressive and worthwhile to the country.
“How can anyone say the budget for State House is more than that of the White House without giving figures? This is mere politicking. Please do not lower standards of debate in this House,” he said.
And making a policy statement on estimates of expenditure for his office, Mr Kunda said his office will next year embark on an extensive consultation process with stakeholders to review performance under the 2006-2010 strategic plan and put in place a new plan for the period 2011 to 2015.
He said to consolidate the successes that the country has scored in disaster management which falls under his office, Government intends to present to Parliament the National Disaster Management Bill, whose objective will be to create a legal framework within which all disaster management and mitigation activities will be undertaken by all stakeholders.
Contributing to debate, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing Lwipa Puma said there is need to have a re-look at the statutes that deal with what happens to those that constantly attack and insult the President.
Dr Puma said funding to the Office of the Vice-President should be increased to enable it deal adequately with disasters and resettlement.
Luapula MP Peter Machungwa (PF) said Zambia risks becoming the laughing stock of the international community if some people continue insulting the President.
He said those attacking the President are the same people who will demand respect in the event that they take over power.
“Even those that are supposed to guide spiritually have joined the bandwagon,” he said.
Bahati MP Besa Chimbaka (PF) said it is wrong for some politicians to demean the offices they are aspiring to.
Mbabala MP Emmanuel Hachipuka (UPND) said there is need to budget separately for the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit.
And Mr Kunda said the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) will in 2010, with the help of co-operating partners under the United Nations Development Plan (UNDP), continue to address areas identified by consultancies and those from lessons learnt during the 2008 elections.
Presenting a policy statement on ECZ, Mr Kunda said some of the areas include enhanced organisational effectiveness and efficiency of ECZ, a workable continuous voters’ registration system, revised legal framework and dispute resolution mechanisms and voter education and enhanced programmes.
/MISA%20promoting%20media%20diversity%20_%20pluralism%20_%20self-sufficiency%20_%20independence_files/spacer.gif){kind=spacer}
