Clerk of the National Assembly Cecilia Mbewe says all her staff uphold the public service ethics and professionalism to enhance performance as they execute their duties.

Ms Mbewe has therefore directed senior staff members to ensure that they create awareness to their subordinates on the ethics under public service.

The Clerk of the National Assembly made the remarks in Chongwe today when she closed a two day workshop for senior management staff on Ethics in the Public Service.

She further said the training workshop will promote the dissemination of verified information and promotion of non-partisanship in the line of duty.

“The training workshop will enable parliament staff to refrain from spreading grapevine information and peddling rumours.

“ The workshop targeted the Heads of Department as they are key in the implementation of the code of ethics and can trickle down information to their subordinates,” she explained.

And Minister of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary for Administration Ronald Simwinga stated that the training on ethics was essential to the national assembly as the country heads to the general elections.

Dr Simwinga pointed out that after August 12, the National Assembly may have new members of parliament who will need to be guided on the public service code of ethics.

He underscored that enlightening senior management on public service ethics will enable workers at the national assembly to preserving and maintain confidentiality of certain information.

“As Zambia goes to the polls, Parliament is likely to receive new members and may not be privy to public service code of ethics and this training will enable staff to enlighten the new members on public service management ethics and confidentiality,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Zambia Security Intelligence Services Deputy Director General Edith Mwenya states that the training workshop will enhance loyalty, professionalism and discipline among workers at the national assembly.

Ms Mwenya expressed optimism that the training will also see the emphasis on the safeguarding of national security as it is top of the national agenda.

She further called on all public service workers to safeguard classified information by exercising high levels of confidentiality.

Yesterday, Secretary to Cabinet Simon Miti appealed to the National Assembly Management to consider introducing performance based management contracts in order to enhance quality service delivery.

Dr Miti, during his opening remarks, explained that the National Assembly should take a leaf from the Executive that has introduced performance management based contracts at Permanent Secretary level and being cascaded to directors’ levels.

the Secretary to Cabinet underscored that performance management contracts are key in the evaluation of staff for either promotions or demotion.

Women from all walks of life have been called upon to fully take part in politics in order to contribute to the social and economic development of the country.

Ms Christabel Kalasa of Chilubi district in Northern Province, observed that the government has created a favorable environment for both women and men to participate freely in politics without intimidation.

Ms Kalasa , who is the aspiring candidate for Chilubi Constituency, said as the country heads to the August 12th General Elections, women should stand up and be adopted by political parties of their choice so that they become part of the decision makers.

In a phone interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Ms Kalasa was quick to mention that the 5050 gender parity will be attained only if women are willing to compete favorably with men.

“This year as we head to August 12, I urge all women to participate fully in the elections from adoption process to voting. I am currently seeking adoption on the ruling party’s ticket.

“ Therefore others should take a leaf from me and Iris Kaingu ( aspiring candidate for Mwandi Constituency, Mwandi District, Western province) we are so passionate and where there is development in any given country there is a woman behind,” she emphasized.

The Chilubi aspiring candidate also called on the government and its stakeholders to put up massive infrastructure development in the district to spur tourism.

She explained that Chilubi has the tourism potential which can only be harnessed when numerous lodges and hotels are built in the area.

Ms Kalasa further called on the government to consider dividing the constituency into two and empower farmers to grow paddy rice in the Chilubi swamps.

Currently, women represent only 17 percent of the members of parliament against the 83 percent which is taken up by male representation.

United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary-General Batuke Imenda has said that his party President Mr Hakainde Hichilema is ready and adequately prepared to shoulder the functions and responsibilities of the Republican president prescribed in the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and in subsidiary pieces of legislation.

In a statement released to the media, Mr Imenda said that there is really nothing meaningful which the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) can do over the next 5 years that will address the backlog of unfulfilled promises and urged voters to guard themselves against giving PF and Dr Lungu another term of office later this year.

Below is the full statement

I wish to assure all my fellow Zambian citizens that UPND President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, widely known as HH, is ready and adequately prepared to shoulder the functions and responsibilities of the Republican president prescribed in the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016 and in subsidiary pieces of legislation.

First and foremost, President Hichilema, in exercise of the executive authority of the State, will adhere to the following provisions excerpted and adapted from Clause 3 of Article 91 of the current Constitution of Zambia:

(a) Respect, uphold and safeguard our country’s Constitution;

(b) Safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of Zambia;

(c) Promote democracy and enhance the unity of the Nation;

(d) Respect the diversity of the different communities of our country, as well as consider the appointment of citizens from a diversity of ethnic, gender and racial segments of Zambian society;

(e) Promote and protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens and of all visitors to our Motherland; and

(f) Uphold the rule of law, as well as promote the existence of non-discriminatory laws, and push for law enforcement organs of the government that are efficient, impartial, independent, and legitimate.

In addition to upholding the rule of law, President Hichilema is also abundantly aware of the need to put into practice all the other elements of good governance, which include the following:

(a) Accountability—that is, availability of a mechanism for ensuring that public officials are directly and fully liable for the outcomes of their decisions and actions, and the appropriation of resources assigned to them;

(b) Transparency—that is, public access to information about the state, its decision-making mechanisms, and its current and contemplated projects and programmes—except for state secrets and matters relating to public officials’ right to privacy;

(c) Citizen participation—that is, availability of channels and mechanisms through which the citizenry and non-governmental institutions can have an influence on governmental decision-making processes and the behaviour and actions of public officials both directly and through their representatives in Parliament; and

(d) A free press, whose functions in a democratic country like ours include serving as a watchdog to the three organs of the government, informing the public about issues which are of national interest, serving as a medium of communication that guarantees free and open debate and discussion among citizens, influencing public opinion through impartial and fair analysis of issues affecting the country and its people, serving the economic system through sponsored advertisements designed to bring buyers and sellers into contact with each other, and serving as a medium for entertaining the public.

Accordingly, President Hichilema will be guided by the foregoing principles and Constitutional provisos in tending to the other important functions and responsibilities stipulated in Article 91, Article 92, Article 96, and other Articles of the Constitution of Zambia with dignity, leadership and integrity.

These functions and responsibilities include the following:

(a) Preside over national affairs as the country’s Head of State and Government, and as Commander-in-Chief of the various units of the Defence Force;

(a) Appoint ambassadors, high commissioners, plenipotentiaries, diplomatic representatives, and consuls;

(b) Receive and accredit foreign ambassadors, high commissioners, plenipotentiaries, diplomatic representatives, consuls, and heads of international organisations;

(c) Negotiate and sign international agreements and treaties and, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, ratify or accede to international agreements and treaties;

(d) Establish, merge and/or dissolve Government ministries, subject to the approval of the National Assembly;

(e) Confer honours upon deserving citizens and non-citizens residing within and outside Zambia;

(f) Initiate Bills for submission to, and consideration by, the National Assembly;

(g) Appoint the Secretary to the Cabinet, Attorney-General, Solicitor-General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Investigator-General, puisne judges, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Industrial Relations Court, and the Auditor-General in consultation with relevant organs of government and subject to ratification by the National Assembly; and

(h) Appoint members of an Advisory Committee on the prerogative of mercy which shall advise him on actions and/or decisions to be taken in granting relief to any deserving person convicted of an offence by a court or court-martial.

Besides, we are all aware of the numerous socioeconomic issues and matters which President Hichilema’s administration will have to tackle after the elections scheduled to be held on August 12, 2021, including the creation for a more effective and efficient national government, providing for greater access to education and training, providing for merit-based scholarships for vocational training and university education, providing for low-interest educational loans, providing for an efficient and effective healthcare system, providing for greater and sustained food security, and creation of greater employment opportunities.

Other important issues and matters which the new administration is geared to address include public infrastructure, garbage collection and disposal, socioeconomic conditions in rural areas, electricity tariffs and interruptions in the supply of electricity, the scourge of corruption, the needs of street children and the handicapped, the preservation and protection of our country’s fragile natural environment, and implementation of projects and programmes initiated by President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front in our country’s 10 provinces.

Needless to say, the Patriotic Front assumed the reins of power in September 2011, but the socioeconomic conditions facing the majority of citizens have continued to worsen during the 10 years the ruling political party has been in power. And, unfortunately, the gifts and donations in the form of cash, bicycles, automobiles, and mealie meal which President Lungu and the Patriotic Front are dishing out will not solve the prevailing socioeconomic problems facing the country and its people.

Voters who have the interest of our beloved country and its people at heart, therefore, will need to guard themselves against giving the Patriotic Front and Dr. Lungu another term of office later this year. There is really nothing meaningful which the party can do over the next 5 years that will address the backlog of unfulfilled promises.

Patriotic Front (PF) Member of the Central Committee (MCC) Joseph Malanji has urged people of Mufumbwe district in North-Western Province to rally behind the PF under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu ahead of the August 12 general elections.

Mr Malanji who is also Foreign Affairs minister said government means well for the people of Zambia because of the development programmes being spread across the country.

He urged people in the region to vote for PF candidates in the August 12 general elections to accelerate social and economic development in the region.

Mr Malanji said the PF has penetrated the province which was regarded as an opposition stronghold as evidenced by the victories recorded in the by-elections that were held in the region.

“Now we want uniform, councilor PF, Member of Parliament PF, council chairman PF and President PF,” he said.

Mr Malanji , who is also PF national mobilization committee member, was speaking when he addressed public rallies at Kashima east and Kyamwina Primary Schools in Mufumbwe constituency yesterday.

It is important for people to vote for PF candidates who will be able to lobby for development from President Lungu because Zambians have resolved to give him a fresh mandate in August this year, he said.

“For developmental projects I can assure you that we are not going to end where we are but we are going to continue,” Mr Malanji said.

He also commissioned the construction of a one by three classroom block at Kashima east Primary School to increase on classroom space to enable pupils learn in a conducive environment.

Earlier, Mr Malanji addressed another mobilization rally in Kanyama chiefdom in Mwinilunga district where he commended people in the area for accepting to work with the PF Government.

“We already have the support that we want from this chiefdom,” he said.

Mr Malanji also assured the people of Kanyama that government will continue with the empowerment programmes especially in the livestock sector.

“On the road network the Government has already signed a contract to do the Mutanda-Mwinilunga road and the contractor will be on site very soon,” he said.

He said works to upgrade Mutanda-Mwinilunga road which has been in a deplorable state for a long time will be commissioned soon.

Mr Malanji also said Government has engaged Zambia National Service (ZNS) to work on feeder roads and bridges in Kanyama chiefdom.