UPND MPs win kudos over Parley

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 07:56:07 +0000

By OSCAR MALIPENGA

THE decision by the UPND members of Parliament to attend the official opening of Parliament by President Edgar Lungu on Friday is the apex of the beginning of reconciliation, government chief whip Richard Musukwa has said.

Mr Musukwa said Parliament was the highest political dispensation that should promote unity of purpose and diversity.

Commenting on the decision by UPND MPs not boycott the presidential address, Mr Musukwa said he was hopeful that the leverage they (UPND) showed would continue to happen in Parliament and that together mother Zambia should be built.

“We urged the opposition to come and they came,” adding:  “I am extremely delighted as the government chief whip for the magnanimity, support and maturity exhibited by opposition UPND members of Parliament to attend the official presidential opening of Parliament as opposed to their absence last time.”

Mr Musukwa said he was delighted and paid glowing tribute to the leadership of the UPND for ensuring that their MPs attended the official opening of Parliament.

He said President Lungu, in his keynote address, explained how the executive would proceed going into 2018 after giving a review of the 2017 performance.

“I hope that this leverage shown by our colleagues will continue to happen in Parliament and that together we can build mother Zambia.

“Let me also indicate that they behaved in a highly dignified manner, they accorded President Lungu the respect that he deserves and I am most grateful for this undertaking from our colleagues,” Mr Musukwa said.

Mr Musukwa urged the UPND to count on the PF government for support.