. Wina

By CHILA NAMAIKO –
THE Government has cautioned the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Members of Parliament (MPs) against making statements that promote tribalism.
Vice President Inonge Wina said such irresponsible statements, especially those coming from the lawmakers had potential to divide the citizenry.
Ms Wina said it was ‘careless’ of UPND MPs to persist on matters of regionalism, when the people of Zambia were currently enjoying a national spirit of togetherness.
She wondered why the MPs wanted to focus on matters of tribalism at the expense of President Edgar Lungu working hard to unite citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
“The people of Zambia should know that such questions have the potential to divide the nation. President Lungu is working hard to ensure there is no discrimination, but some MPs now want to promote regionalism in the country,” she said.
She said this in Parliament yesterday during the Vice President’s question.
This was in response to UPND Monze central MP Jack Mwiimbu, and his counterparts, who repeatedly asked why Government dismissed some civil servants in Southern, Central, Western and North-Western provinces on national interest in aftermath of recent general elections.
She, however, pledged to investigate the MPs’ claims, in response to UPND Katombora MP Derrick Livune, who sought clarity whether the Vice President would make a follow-up.
Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini also cautioned the parliamentarians in the House against dragging President Lungu’s name in trivial matters.
Meanwhile, Ms Wina said the African Development Bank (AfDB) has helped to add-value through its provision of loans to Government to implement programmes aimed at achieving more sustainable development.
The House heard that AfDB was supporting the country’s economic sectors such as agriculture, energy and water development, and as such, Government has found it prudent to partner with it to uplift the welfare of citizens.
She was responding to Patriotic Front (PF) Kanchibiya MP Martin
Malama, who wanted to know the effectiveness of AfDB in the country’s development agenda.