President Michael Sata says he has no intentions of sliding the country into a One Party State.
Speaking during the official opening of the third session of the National Assembly President Sata said he regretted the violence experienced during the by-elections.
President put up fairly steady performance with the exception of his bizarre bold head chant that reared its head each time he veered off the written speech.
He said he was committed to upholding the rule of law.
“The government is committed to upholding the rule of law including separation of powers among the three arms of government,” he said.
“In this regard I want to assure the Zambian people that our government has no intention whatsoever to turn this country into a One Party State. “
Under President Sata there have been cries of taking the country into One Party with the poaching of opposition MPs and also the freezing of the right of assembly opposition parties and civil society wishing to hold demonstrations.
President Sata said the PF would deliver on the prolonged constitution making process.
“With regards to the constitution making process the government remains committed to deliver a people driven constitution,” he said.
“The consultative process has been completed and the final draft constitution is expected by the end of this year. Thereafter the government in collaboration with other stakeholders will guide the nation but mind you without a constitution there would be no government.”
Prior to ascending to power Sata had promised to deliver the constitution to the Zambian people in 90 days.
President Sata said the PF had delivered on its more money in people’s pockets by making civil servants’ salaries competitive.
He said it was the first time a salary increment had happened in the history of the country.
“Honourable Mr Speaker government continues to fulfill its promises of more money in people’s pockets,” he said.
“In this regard our government has listened and honoured its pledge to increase salaries for public service workers making their conditions of service both locally and regionally. This has never happened in the history of this country. “
With some opposition MPs aware of President Sata’s bald heads phobia there was no shortage of off-hand remarks about bald heads.
“The minister education alone without the minister of finance will not achieve much but they are going to work hand in hand after all they have got both BALD HEADS,” he said.
“Honorable members of this august house would you please assist me because one day the honourbale member of education Dr Phiri came to me and said he has got a disability because HE HAS A BALD head.”
He said he regretted violence during by-elections that is mostly perpetuated by Patriotic Front members.
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate all the new members of parliament who have since joined the house. I also thank the electorates who participated in the by-elections,” President Sata said.
“I however regret to note that some by-elections were characterized by violence. I wish to emphasize the need for self restraint and tolerance during and after elections so as to enable our democracy flourish.”
The post Sata Opens Parliament with Comments on Bald Heads appeared first on Zambia Reports.