. Wina

By CHILA NAMAIKO –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu will next week address the National Assembly to update the nation on the progress of development plans set by his administration, among other matters.
The Head of State’s address to the House is scheduled for Friday morning and expected to outline more Government policies of taking development across the country.
Vice President Inonge Wina said this in Parliament yesterday when she outlined events for the House next week during the on-going First Session of the 12th National Assembly.
Meanwhile, Ms Wina warned members of Parliament (MPs) against wanting to tarnish the image of country by claiming that there was dictatorship and abuse of freedom of the Press.
She castigated some opposition members claiming that democracy was ‘dying’ in Zambia, and challenged them to be factual stating that  President Lungu was running an inclusive Government and adhering to good governance tenets.
Ms Wina said the increased number of television and radio stations and newspaper companies were a testimony of Government embracing the media and promoting freedom of the press.
“People should celebrate that Zambia is an independent state because this Government is not harassing any media institution. The setting up of many television, radio stations and newspaper firms shows the democratic values we are promoting,” she said.
Ms Wina said this during the Vice President’s question time in response to United Party for National Development (UPND) Kabompo West MP Ambroise Lufuma, who claimed that Zambia was becoming a dictatorship owing to closure of The Post Newspaper (in liquidation).
She said the Patriotic Front (PF) administration was a ’home’ to the underprivileged, and as such, it was the most likeable political party for being pro-poor in uplifting the welfare of citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
Ms Wina said this in response to PF Chifubu MP Frank Ng’ambi, who wanted to know how PF was compared to other political parties since it was a pro-poor party that was outshining all others, especially in taking development to all rural parts of the country.
She said Government was also firm in its quest to eradicate corruption and would continue ensuring public funds were put to good use and those found wanting would face the law.
This was in response to UPND Senanga MP Mukumbuta Mulowa, who sought to know Government’s commitment in the fight against graft.
Ms Wina, earlier, told the House in a ministerial statement that 37 public service workers were retired in national interest from cross the 10 provinces in the on-going re-organisation of the civil service by the Public Service Management Division.
One public service worker was retired in central province, three in Eastern, two in Lusaka, five in Northern, 15 from North-Western, two in Western while nine from Southern Province were retire.