OPPOSITION MPS ROASTED
IT is wrong for opposition members of parliament to shun Government development programmes because they are for the benefit of all Zambians irrespective of their political beliefs.
National Development Planning Permanent Secretary Chola Chabala said it was sad that opposition MPs were politicizing government programmes which were aimed at fostering development in the country.
Mr Chabala was speaking during the Central Province Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) in Kapiri Mposhi last week where no opposition MP in the province was present.
He said it was unfortunate that opposition MPs were shunning Government programmes and yet these were anchored on development.
Development should be taken very seriously by every wellmeaning citizen because it cuts across political lines, he said.
“If we are taking Government programmes politically, we are very sorry because development cuts across political lines hence it should be taken seriously,” Mr Chabala.
He said the culture of opposition MPs shunning Government programmes must be stopped as it was retarding development in the country.
Speaking earlier, deputy parliamentary chief whip, Chanda Mutale said there was too much politicking among Zambians at the expense of development.
Mr Mutale said opposition MPs chose to stay away from the PDCC because they did not associate themselves with development.
Mr Mutale, who is Chitambo Patriotic Front (PF) MP, said the provincial administration had tried its best to ensure opposition MPs attended the PDCC because they had an important role to play in such meeting.
“We like politicking too much at the expense of development, which is very sad,” Mr Mutale said. He said attending government programmes was important because what MPs presented to parliament as a budget came from such meetings.
He also said it was important for opposition MPs to attend government functions as they would learn because they might one day form government.
“When we were in opposition, the late President, Michael Sata urged PF MPs to be attending government functions saying you will learn from them because one day you will form government and true, today we are in government,” Mr Mutale said.