CHOMBA MUSIKA
Lusaka
FIVE nominated members of Parliament (MPs) have pledged to use their legislative authority to complement President Hakainde Hichilema’s Grow Zambia Agenda, a blueprint for the country’s socio-economic development.
The law-makers, who include re-appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co operation Mulambo Haimbe, made the pledge yesterday after taking oath before Speaker of National Assembly Nelly Mutti.
Others are former Zambia National Public Health Institute director-general Roma Chilengi, who is the new Minister of Health, economist Noel Nkoma, University of Zambia academician Gilbert Siame, who is Minister of Green Economy and Environment, and former Luena law-maker Mubita Anakoka.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Haimbe thanked President Hichilema, God and the people of Zambia for the nomination to serve in the 14th National Assembly.
“The representation that should be expected [from me] is towards the growth agenda.
“The idea is that all of us as members of Parliament, as we support the executive arm of Government in what we do, aside from offering checks and balances, we need to support the growth agenda,” the former Lusaka Central MP said.
He said all law-makers, whether elected, nominated or from the opposition, need to support Grow Zambia Agenda.
“The growth agenda is where people of Zambia’s hope is anchored. We have to focus on this because our country needs to move forward together with everyone else,” Mr Haimbe said.
Prof Chilengi said he is going to the House with a clear mandate to contribute to improving the welfare of Zambians.
“I am coming in with a very clear instruction. We have to contribute and make the lives of Zambians better, particularly in the health sector,” he said.
For Mr Nkoma, a former National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) board chairperson, his focus will be to complement the President’s development agenda.
“We have been able to build roads in almost all provinces in the last five years. We’ve also managed to ensure that the debt that we inherited has been reduced to a large extent. “With this headroom now, in the next five years, the growth agenda the President has set speaks to all sectors of the economy,” he said.
Dr Siame pledged to diligently serve the head of State and provide effective representation for the Zambian people without discrimination.
“My representation will be grounded on well-researched material, well-grounded information which supports the Grow Zambia Agenda. Growth that supports development and all Zambians,” the researcher, who once worked at United Nations, said. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
