Maravi

Explain benefits of Rupiah’s foreign trips, urges Masebo

Explain benefits of Rupiah’s foreign trips, urges Masebo
By Florence Bupe
Sat 13 Nov. 2010, 04:02 CAT

SYLVIA Masebo has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain to Parliament and the public the benefits of President Rupiah Banda’s international trips. Contributing to the debate on the policy statement for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Masebo, who is Chongwe MMD member of parliament, said there was unhappiness about the trips.

“Currently, there is a lot of unhappiness about presidential travels. The ministry does not seem to bring out the details of the President’s trips,” Masebo said. “The ministry should come and issue ministerial statements on the President’s trips.”

And Pemba UPND member of parliament David Matongo charged that the MMD government had politicised the appointment of diplomats to foreign missions.

Matongo said the ministry had become a dumping ground for failed politicians.
He said there was need to make appointments in the public service, especially in foreign missions, as professional as possible.

“Almost 46 per cent of the diplomatic service is not professional. There is no problem with the President appointing a few of his political cronies but a situation where such a high percentage is unprofessional is unacceptable,” said Matongo.

In concluding the debate, foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande justified the appointment of diplomats, arguing that all officers appointed in foreign missions underwent training at the diplomatic school.

And UPND Monze member of parliament Jack Mwiimbu has challenged the government to give a clear direction on the national Constitution.

Contributing to a debate on the policy statement for the 2011 budget estimates for the Ministry of Justice, Mwiimbu expressed worry that the government had continued to be silent on the issue of the Constitution.

This followed Vice-President George Kunda’s policy statement delivery for estimates for the 2011 budget and the justice ministry work plan, in which he made no mention of the Constitution.

Various political stakeholders and the public at large have called on the government to ensure that a new constitution is enacted before the 2011 general elections.

“We expected the Vice-President in his programme of work to indicate how government intends to progress with the Constitution. We all know that Zambians are demanding for a new constitution before we proceed with elections next year,” Mwiimbu said.

He reiterated that the constitution-making process was vital in the governance of the country and said it was a serious omission from the Vice-President’s statement to Parliament.
Mwiimbu also said it would not be in the interest of government and ordinary Zambians to conduct next year’s elections under the current electoral regime.

In response, Vice-President Kunda said the government would in the next few days give a clear roadmap on the Constitution.

Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, SYLVIA MASEBO

posted by MrK @ 7:39 PM