PARLIAMENT yesterday unanimously approved the establishment of five ministries as proposed by President Lungu during the ceremonial opening of the fifth session of the 11th National Assembly.
Members of Parliament (MPs) debated and adopted the motion entitled :Approval of Government Ministries and Departments : “That in terms of Article 44(2)(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, this House do approve the abolition and the establishment of the Government Ministries and Departments established by the President as appended hereto.”
The new ministries include Ministry of Development Planning, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Transport and Communication, Ministry of Energy and Water Development and Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
Contributing to the motion, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Chishimba Kambwili said the Patriotic Front (PF) administration decided to establish the ministries because it is a government of the people.
Mr Kambwili said it is unfortunate that the UPND, which is calling for the establishment of assemblies in all provinces, and appointment of ministers outside Parliament, claims that the PF has a bloated Government.
He also said challenges being experienced are as a result of poor planning by previous Governments and that the PF is trying to rectify things.
Choma Central MP Cornelius Mweetwa (UPND) said the establishment of new ministries is a welcome move but that the timing is wrong.
Mr Mweetwa, however, said UPND is only interested in splitting the Ministry of Agriculture into two ministries and that the party has welcomed the move.
Chipata Central MP Rueben Phiri (MMD) said he supports the establishment of the new ministries.
Mr Phiri said he has no option but to support the motion.
He called for the establishment of a ministry of Rural Development to help build rural areas.
Bweengwa MP Highvie Hamududu (UPND) charged that President Lungu is struggling to govern the nation hence coming up with new ministries.
He said these ministries will just put a strain on the national budget and called on the government to learn from Namibia how national planning operates.
How is the decision unanimous when from your write up,Bwengwa MP debated against the move? I think the best wording should have Majority and not unanimously.
Its so unfortunate that the majority in Parliament are PF MPs and even things that need deep reflection are just passed
Choma Central MP Cornelius Mweetwa (UPND) said the establishment of new ministries is a welcome move but that the timing is wrong.
Mr Mweetwa, however, said UPND is only interested in splitting the Ministry of Agriculture into two ministries and that the party has welcomed the move.
EVEN A UPND MP SUPPORTED THIS
These goons also need to be shot dead when there is a new government next year, for costly stui.pidity!
UPND seems lost and without any stand. They are a dangerous and unpredictable lot. We should never entrust them with power as they will concort all sorts of excuses when they realize that state governance is no under-five child play.
When is the Constitution Amendment Bill being tabled???? We are tied of waiting. We need progress on this issue.
This is not about serving the nation better by Chagwa, not at all. Actually that absolutely comes last on these PF maroons agenda. New ministries are being created solely for one reason, Chagwa has many to appease from his main backer, RB’s team, we are talking of individuals such as Dora. Its all about pressure from RB and the appetite to further weaken the opposition’s voice in parliament by pursuing a few into taking up ministerial positions and thus shutting them up.
MPs from both sides of the National Assembly political divide were cagey about opposing the Motion because they would risk missing on the new appointments to the Ministries – politics of the belly, by political business persons!
Kambwili creating provincial assemblies is not bloating govt but decentralization. We need to break the hold on all decision making by Lusaka. Our central govt can efficiently operate with Chipimo’s 12 ministries if only some of the decisions were taken into the regions.
Local authorities need not depend on Lusaka for salaries.