Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
All People’s Congress President Nason Msoni has questioned where the K2 million for holding consultations on whether or not Zambia should remain a member of the International Criminal Court when government has said there is no money for holding the referendum on the expended Bill of Rights.
Mr Msoni says what is even more surprising is that the money has been found within a short period of time for purposes of making what he says are unnecessary and unsolicited consultations.
He says the countrywide consultations on Zambia’s membership status of the ICC are a sheer waste of resources.
Mr Msoni states that the money could have been used to alleviate poverty as well as addressing the challenges the country is grappling with.
He adds that holding consultations on whether Zambia should leave the ICC or not is not a priority for the Zambian people.
Meanwhile Government has been commended for allowing citizens make the decision on whether Zambia should maintain or withdraw membership from International Criminal Court (ICC).
Some Lusaka residents spoken to in random interviews have welcomed government’s countrywide consultations on whether Zambia should leave or stay in the ICC.
One resident, Adam Banda has told QTV News that a rushed decision to leave the ICC would have been ill-advised had government not conducted such consultations.
Another resident, Mubita Mundia is of the view that such consultations will provide Zambians an opportunity to take part in decision making.
And Mackson Kaminsa believes government has done the right thing to recognize the importance of citizens in making the decision on whether Zambia should remain part of the ICC or not.
But Lazarous Mukuka feels that much as such a consultative approach by government is welcome, it is untimely.
Mr. Mukuka says the issue of whether Zambia should stay or leave the ICC cannot be a priority at a time when Zambia is faced with numerous pressing challenges.
The consultations on whether Zambia should remain a member of the ICC or leave have commenced today, 27th March and will go on until 31st May,2017.
The findings of the consultations will be the basis upon which government will come up with a position on Zambia’s membership status of the ICC ahead of the African Union summit in June.