AS the fourth session of the 11th National Assembly resumed sitting on?Tuesday after a two-month recess, members of Parliament (MPs)?should realise that there is a lot at stake this time around.
The MPs have the onerous responsibility to fairly but fearlessly?represent their respective constituents, what with the two fundamental?issues lined up for deliberation during the current sitting.
The parliamentarians should cast away their political affiliation and?advance the interests of the nation, given the importance of most of?the issues which have been earmarked for debate and adoption.
Viewing the proposed constitutional amendments on non-contentious?clauses with partisan spectacles, for instance, would be?counterproductive and a detriment to national progress!
Zambians have been unanimous on most of the non-contentious issues?since time immemorial and frustrating the current ray of hope to deal?with these issues once and for all will be acting contrary to the?wishes of the people.
We feel that the MPs from the opposition should look at the greater?good which will be achieved through the current Government-proposed?roadmap on the enactment of the Constitution and support whatever?proposals would be presented in Parliament.
They should abandon their partisan stances on the matter and support?the proposals which would advance democracy in the country while?uniting the people.
Looking at the bigger picture, we feel the current roadmap, which?include the prior parliamentary amendments of some selected?non-contentious clauses and later a referendum, is the best way to go.
This is because with the current roadmap, whatever the outcome of the?referendum, Zambians would be guaranteed of the changes to those vital?provisos.
Of course except for the provisions of Part III of the current?Constitution, whose amendment requires a referendum!
The Government, on the other hand, should take time to sell their?proposed changes to the Constitution to their counterparts.
Armed with full information, all MPs are more likely to support the changes.?Apart from the Constitution enactment, the MPs also have the heavy?responsibility to deliberate on the changes to the 2015 National?Budget after the Government proposed amendments to the mining tax?regime.
We feel that, at least in the short-term, this is the second most?significant national issue which requires all MPs to seriously debate,?devoid of political leanings.
The revisiting of the National Budget is inevitable and was made to?safeguard the interest of the miners and the national economy.
Therefore, it does not matter who initiated, whether the opposition or?the executive, everyone has to support!?Indication were that maintaining the 2015 mining tax regime as it was?passed by Parliament ahead of its effecting on January 1 2015 could?have resulted in untold miseries for miners whose jobs were on the?line.
Yes, left unattended to, the 2015 mining tax regime could have led to?severe consequences for the national economy but that has been abated,?thanks to the proposed changes which all MPs should support.
It was imperative for the government to listen to the cries of the?mining houses that cited the threats to their operations the then new?mining tax regime posed.
Obviously, Zambians and other observers will continue watching with?keen interest, following the proceedings by the leaders.
On our part, we are confident that, once more, sense and?high-mindedness will prevail and at the end of it all, Zambia and?Zambians will emerge the winners.  OPINION