PARLIAMENT yesterday passed the proposed K78.9 million budgetary allocation for State House, with nominated Member of Parliament Likando Mufalali saying there was too much partying at Plot One previously.
Mr Mufulali said the new dawn administration is focused on ensuring that Zambians get the benefits of voting for the United Party for National Development (UPND).
During festive periods like this December, there was a lot of partying and dancing at State House until citizens concluded that there was a ‘kadansa’ in State House,” he said.
“People are used to big entourages, but because the new dawn government is responsible, it has cut down on the number of people who travel with the President.”At the mention of the word “kadansa”, Shiwang’andu Patriotic Front (PF) MP Stephen Kampyongo rose on a point of order.
Second Deputy Speaker Moses Moyo urged Mr Mufalali “not to make statements that inflict pain on others but to debate with facts”.
After Vice-President WK Mutale Nalumango had made a policy statement on the proposed budget, Lunte PF MP Mutotwe Kafwaya, tongue-in-cheek, said what Minister of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane has done is unfair.“Put more money so that the President can travel as a number one diplomat,” Mr Kafwaya said. “The bloated administration at State House is gobbling money.”
However, Mr Moyo advised Mr Kafwaya to debate based on facts.Mr Kafwaya said the President should take advice given by State institutions seriously and not to issue contradictory statements.“I support this head [budget] and I hope you will double or triple it because the trend is already showing that you will be back with a supplementary budget,” he said.Kantanshi MP (PF) Anthony Mumba said as a result of the high number of advisors at State House, the roles will be overlapping.“
The position of special advisor is at the level of deputy secretary to Cabinet. So it means emoluments have increased,” he said.Mr Kampyongo commended the Vice-President for remedying the issue opposition MPs had raised of failure to bring to the House a draft National Development Plan, which is a prerequisite to passing the budget.“We are not here to be antagonistic but to offer credible advice,” Mr Kampyongo said. “State House is the apex institution of this nation. Moving into State House forms part of the Presidency.”
He said Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu now has a “headache” to secure the head of State as he moves from his private residence to State House daily.“It is convenient for the head of State to be flown to State House, which has a helipad. So talk to your counterpart at the Ministry of Defence [Ambrose Lufuma] so that the President is airlifted to State House than make police officers stand during route lining all day,” Mr Kampyongo said.He further said the issue of propaganda must be dealt with because it was rumoured that President Hakainde Hichilema would address the House yesterday. “Now that he is President, State apparatus must manage his office.
This (State House) is a national institution and as we appropriate funds, we should be in a position to attend without fearing what will happen. Our plea to all those that surround the President, they should give him accurate information,” Mr Kampyongo said.Leader of the Opposition Brian Mundubile said the head of State should be carrying journalists from the public media because it is beneficial to his administration.
The presiding officer also asked Pambashe MP Ronald Chitotela to withdraw an unparliamentary word. Mr Chitotela had said: “Shut up, you green horn,” in reference to another member who was passing running commentaries.“I didn’t know that the word ‘shut up’ is not parliamentary.
I withdraw it without any problem,” he said.The Vice-President appreciated the debates made by the members.Mrs Nalumango said Nkwazi House is an old structure which was built in 1935 and, therefore, gobbles more during refurbishment.“Of course, there were some political talks that the President goes round to every by-election.
Some of his travels are done by Cabinet. He is a chief ambassador, the chief marketer who must travel,” she said. “There are benefits in his travel which the nation will soon start seeing.
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