PURGE INEPT MPs
MEMBERS of Parliament are representatives of the people in respective constituencies who should play a significant role in the development process. MPs also hold a special place in the legislative process. Thus people holding such a portfolio ought to understand the seriousness with which to undertake all assignments in the course of their duty.
It is also important for MPs to fully understand their role and how they should manage their constituencies.
It is sad that, evidently, some MPs have abandoned their constituencies in preference to trappings that go with the prestige of being called “Honourable.”
They have become blind; they are lost. Constituents have been left gnashing their teeth after faithfully entrusting their welfare into the hands of their supposedly representatives who have now elected to wine and dine elsewhere.
President Edgar Lungu has thus hit the bull’s eye. Some MPs have turned their backs on the very people who voted them into office instead of expending their energy on performing their core duties.
They have reneged on the social contracts they sealed with constituents.
Even in the chamber, they are sleeping partners who only wake up to shout “hear, hear!” and slumber again. Debates are not their portion.
The warning from the Head of State that absentee MPs will not be adopted in the 2021 elections has come at an opportune time.
In the three years remaining, absentee or underperforming MPs must make up for the lost time and opportunities. They should reunite with their people in constituencies.
Yes, a good number of them have gone to sleep, riding on the fact that Government`s infrastructure development has been rolled out in all areas.
They are Government projects and not spearheaded by individual MPs.
People in constituencies are not blind, but are wellaware about the parameters Government has set in terms of development.
Therefore, MPs should start working hard now and get credit for their own-initiated projects upon which their people will judge them.
They should create a permanent rapport and not just get to the constituencies during the campaign period. It is not fair!
MPs have been availed with all the facilities including automobiles that can ply the most rugged terrain.
They have to be active in their constituencies, during debate and indeed in parliamentary committee meetings.
Undoubtedly, there are so many MPs who are performing well. They have been in constant touch with their people in constituencies.
Additionally, they have been contributing meaningfully to proceedings in the House and lobbying for development from various Government ministries.
As President Lungu pointed out, leaders must always be humble, respectful, hard-working and ready to listen; they should not monopolise discourse.
An effective and efficient representative must spend more time listening to their people in constituencies than talking like a chatterbox.
It is surprising that some MPs have waged war in their constituencies after forming parallel leadership structures at branch, ward and constituency levels.
Some of them have even attempted to manipulate district party structures to ensure they entrench their unwarranted influence on the grassroot. Stop it!
They should just work hard and initiate youth empowerment programmes to reduce unemployment levels among the vulnerable youth.
This segment of society is easily susceptible to mischief as evidenced in some parts of the country where gangs have sprung up. They desperately need empowerment.
There is also need to organise women clubs, particularly in densely-populated townships.
MPs should initiate more women empowerment programmes.
It is believed that when you empower a woman, you empower a family and let alone a community.
MPs must critically look at the needs in society and address them within their capacity while those unable to do so must give way.