K2m ICC debate saddens Lungu

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:19:27 +0000

By OSCAR MALIPENGA

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says he is saddened by the on-going political debate over the K2 million allocated by Government to consult Zambians on whether or not Zambia should withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

And President Lungu has observed that his Cabinet ministers had settled very well in their offices.

Addressing journalists before departure for a three-day working visit to Muchinga Province at City airport, President Lungu said he was saddened by the fact that some people did not know that democracy was expensive.

“I keep on saying that democracy is expensive,” President Lungu said.

The Head of State explained that Justice Minister Given Lubinda had consulted Cabinet before the decision was approved.

President Lungu said Mr. Lubinda requested surety to engage the public to decide whether or not Zambia should withdraw its membership from the ICC.

He said the matter was being debated not only in Zambia but also at different national and international levels, including the African Union (AU).

President Lungu said even Zambians had been talking about the issue locally

“So if we do not consult in that manner how else can we consult? I understand Zambians are political animals at all seasons, so when they politicize things I do not get worried because I realize that democracy is expensive.

“But even if it is not a democracy, consultation is the best way to lead. Anyway so we are consulting,” he said. The Head of State said Government would make a decision based on the views of the people that would make submissions during consultations.

“Those who do not want to give their view too bad and those who want to give their view we will hear you,” President Lungu said.

And President Lungu has expressed satisfaction that his Cabinet ministers were settling in well as evidenced by their quarterly annual reports.

President Lungu said things were going on ‘‘so far so good’’, adding that the ministers were settling in very well.

President Lungu has also observed that there had been improvement in the attitude of ministers towards work.

President Lungu however said he was gauging the minister’s attitude towards work on daily basis.

“They are getting better but we are human and we should help each other get better, so even the media may have seen that some are getting equal to the task getting more accomplished and some we need to give them time.

“But you cannot just wake up and make a pronouncement that they have failed; that is why we have a five-year period,” he said.