Maravi

Dora’s resignation not a finality, says outgoing LAZ president

Dora’s resignation not a finality, says outgoing LAZ president
Written by Maluba Jere in Livingstone
Sunday, April 26, 2009 2:56:10 PM

OUTGOING Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Elijah Banda has expressed doubt that former communications and transport minister Dora Siliya's resignation from her ministerial position will bring about any form of finality on the matter.

In an interview, Banda said although Siliya's decision to resign was the right thing to do, he doubted it would bring about any form of finality. He said he was aware that Siliya intended to apply for judicial review and that he respected the decision.

"We still feel that, I think, it was the right thing to do on her part because continuing in her position against the background of that nature was going to be a challenge. Over and above it was not going to bring finality over this issue," Banda said.

"... I'm not sure her resignation from her ministerial position will bring about any form of finality because there remains issues still being debated as to whether she can continue holding her parliamentary position or not."

Banda also said the time he served as LAZ president was a rare privilege and that he looked forward to being involved in other spheres in the region and the continent of Africa.

"My contribution to the association for the last two years is sufficient. For the time being I think let me give chance to the other people an opportunity. You have to have very good reasons to stick to a position such as this one given the fact that there are so many ably and prominently qualified persons. All I can say is that for me it has been a very rare privilege to serve in the position," he said.

Banda, who thanked LAZ for the cooperation and interesting time he had during his presidency, said serious challenges came up which the association had to preside over.

He cited the illness and consequent death of president Levy Mwanawasa as one challenge where LAZ had to give guidance to the nation on the provisions of the Constitution.

Banda also said it was discouraging when statements made in good faith were misunderstood.

However, he said LAZ was considered a leading association in making momentous decisions of a significant nature such as its participation on the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

Banda said LAZ was a model association in the region, which was being looked at for continuous professional development. He said the membership of the association had grown tremendously and attributed that to the way it was reconfigured.

He said when he took up office, he did indicate that his focus would be to revitalise and concentrate on the core issues of the law association.

"By and large we have, as can be seen in number of ways, have managed to get membership interested again, seniors have come back," he said. "Lawyers from government are coming to join not just lawyers from Cairo Road in Lusaka and Buteko in Ndola."

Banda hoped that his successor would carry on the good work that had been started.

Labels: DORA SILIYA, ELIJAH BANDA, LAZ

posted by MrK @ 1:57 PM