First Deputy Speaker counsels MPs

Catherine Namugala

First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala has advised Members of Parliament against the tendency of merely registering their presence, and later leave without attending proceedings of the house.

This came after Mafinga MP Jacob Siwale raised a point of order, asking whether   Roan Member of Parliament Chishimba Kambwili was in order to continue leaving the house after signing in the parliamentary log book.

Ms. Namugala said she is aware of this tendency not only by the Roan MP, but most of the parliamentarians.

She says Members of Parliament have an obligation to remain in the chamber until business of the house is fully exhausted.

Ms Namugala says this is because MPs are elected by the electorate to represent them fully.

She has since called for an end to tendency of leaving the house after logging in the log book by parliamentarians, stating that they are given allowances to represent their people in Parliament.