JUSTICE Minister Edgar Lungu has described his meeting with the Grand Coalition on the new Constitution as a step in the right direction, meant to build consensus in the Constitution-making process.
The Grand Coalition also described the meeting as fruitful with a call for the release of the Draft Constitution and the setting up of a referendum commission, among other issues.
In an interview after the meeting which was held at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Lusaka yesterday, coalition chairperson Leonard Chiti described the meeting as the best way to go towards having the new Constitution for Zambia.
Fr Chiti said at the meeting, the Coalition presented their roadmap to the Government, while the Mr Lungu presented the State’s roadmap to the coalition.
Mr Lungu, who is Defence minister and Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general, had invited the Grand Coalition for the meeting following an earlier meeting he had with Attorney General Musa Mwenye on the Constitution-making process.
Other issues discussed at the meeting with the Grand Coalition were timeliness to the Constitution-making process with the coalition members asking the Government to immediately release the Draft Constitution.
The coalition also called for a national census which would lead to the proper hosting of the referendum to adopt the new Constitution.
“We are happy about the meeting. It was the first of its kind where there was no lecturing or confrontation, and the differences were sorted out in a good manner,” Mr said.
He said the civil society organisations would next week hold a strategic meeting where, among other things, the Constitution-making process and yesterday’s meeting with the Government would be discussed.
Fr Chiti said the two parties would soon meet again to discuss questions that had arisen in the meeting held yesterday.
Later in an interview, Mr Lungu described the meeting as having been held in a friendly environment and that the two parties would meet again soon.
He said the meeting was all about consensus building, adding that from what he saw, Zambia was on the right track towards having the long-awaited Constitution.
“The meeting went on well under a give-and-take situation and after reflecting on the views of both sides, we will get back and discuss again,” Mr Lungu said.
Mr. Lungu certainly is building the image of PF positively in two weeks than their former know it all CEO in collusion with one Past Newspaper ever did in three years. in this respect it is in order to encourage Mr. Lungu on this path of give and take. Keep it up Mr. Lungu; the constitution is for all Zambians into the future.
Good job Mr Lungu, now settle this matter asap so that we take on other pressing issues.
iwe you are still in Japan!! I came lived there for 2 years and left.
I always wonder if Wynter had so much influence on the govt, that the whole govt machinery heeded to whatever he said was the right thing! Or, the govt is just trying to make him look so, and launder the PF name? Which is good for the country’s progress.
So was it Kabimba who was a stumbling block and creating an impression that PF are just plain incompetent in everything?
Hmmm I’ll really be amazed if they shirk off all that bad image by jettisoning Kabimba and the post! Good try, though!
that is good news showing good direction and hope mr lungu thanks so far
At least the meeting between the Grand Coalition and Edgar Lungu took place in a cordial atmosphere unlike the previous meetings with the ousted Wynter Kabimba.But we should wait and see whether the future talks will be fruitful or not.
I urge Edgar Lungu not to try and frustrate us by delaying or blocking the process.
A new constitution will ensure political and economic progress in our nation.