Thu, 22 Feb 2018 10:31:55 +0000
By MUKOSELA KASALWE
GOVERNMENT will not retract the Bemba idiom ‘Uubomba Mwibala alya Mwibala’ as it does not in any way encourage the abuse of public resources, says acting leader of government business Steven Chungu.
Mr Chungu, who is Chief Whip, told Parliament yesterday, that it was unfortunate that the context in which the idiom was used by President Edgar Lungu while on his visit in the Copperbelt Province was being overlooked by political contenders hence, it has been misconstrued.
He said in response to a question for oral answer from UPND Mazabuka Central MP Gary Nkombo quoted as ‘ We will leave Government without money but the Zambian people will get all the benefits’ that it was a preceding statement to the idiom imploring public workers to guard against corruption and avoid corrupt practices.
Mr Chungu who is PF Luanshya MP said just like most Zambian proverbs they were not meant to teach negativity but a valuable lesson about life.
“No remarks will be retracted and it is my hope that it has been extremely informative to the members of the House and the Zambian people.
“Mr Speaker, as already stated those that have commented on this matter have only focused on one part without reading and understanding the whole statement as a result it has been misconstrued,” he said.
He said the misunderstanding on the remarks would not change anything as Government was resolute to fight corruption.
Mr Chungu expressed hope that the matter would finally be put to rest as it had generated unnecessary interest.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Patrick Matibin guided members of the House not to bring diverse issues unrelated to the questions but stick to those with relevance to questions asked.
