MPs should heed President Lungu’s call to visit their constituencies

Sat, 20 May 2017 10:33:20 +0000

Dear Editor,

The call by President Edgar Lungu for Members of Parliament to visit their respective constituencies is important despite falling on deaf ears.

The head of State stressed that this is essential because it will accord the lawmakers an opportunity to explain the Government policies to the people.

Away from that, the people will also have an opportunity to interact with their MPs and explain the problems in the constituency to him or her, and how best to resolving them by working together.

It is not enough to see the lawmakers during campaign period to lobby for votes. This practice is not good as it undermines President Lungu’s dream of delivering development to all parts of the country regardless of political affiliation.

We voted for these MPs to work and deliver development to our constituencies. I have no problem with the lawmakers who have heeded President Lungu’s call to visit their constituencies.

My concern is about those MPs who don’t find time to visit their constituencies. How are they going to fulfil their campaign promises by delivering development? This question is their food for thought. This is bad because you can cheat some people some time and not all the people all the time.

Some MPs give the scapegoat or rather the excuse that they are very busy by virtue of holding ministerial positions. However, they should emulate the hardworking lawmakers like Justice Minister Given Lubinda, Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba and Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya among others. The above named lawmakers find time to visit their constituencies despite their very busy work schedule.

Truth be told, it is this one: Matero MP, Lloyd Mulenga Kaziya who does not visit his constituency. He is different from his predecessor, Miles Sampa, the former deputy Commerce Minister. Mr. Sampa initiated and implemented a number of developmental projects. He started working immediately he became the Matero MP.

In my conclusion, it is high time Honourable Kaziya started visiting his constituency in line with President Lungu’s call for the MPs to visit their constituencies.

 Elemiya Phiri, Lusaka.