FODEP STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE FODEP NATIONAL SECRETARY

FODEP STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE FODEP NATIONAL SECRETARY

FODEP SHOCKED AT PARLIAMENT’S APPROVAL OF A BUDGET FOR UNCONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE.

The decision by Parliament to approve a budgetary allocation for an unconstitutional Office of the First Lady is greatly regrettable and shocking to proponents of constitutionalism in the country.

It is extremely disappointing that a watchdog institution like Parliament that is supposed to provide effective checks and balances on the dealings of the Executive could conveniently overlook such a misnomer. 

It is the first time in the history of this country that the Office of First Lady has been allocated public funds without being constitutionalised, a precedent Zambia will live to regret.

Government should have first tabled a bill to constitutionalise the Office before rushing to parliament to seek budgetary approval.

It is in this vein that the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) demands for the above procedure to be followed before allocating and approving and consequently implementing the First Lady’s Office budget by the state. The approval must be rescinded immediately.

Nonetheless, one is left to wonder where the gallant men and women in the Parliament preceding the current one that acted in the interest of this country have gone. It is indeed a sad development for the Zambian legislature to go to sleep on such an important matter concerning the tax payers’ money.

Signed:

Jacob Goma

NATIONAL SECRETARY

0979 851 007