Lungu swears in Matibini, Namugala and Malama
President Lungu
President Edgar Lungu today swore in Newly Elected Speaker of the National Assembly Justice Dr Patrick Matibini. SC, First Deputy Speaker Catherine Namugala and Second Deputy Speaker Mwimba during a ceremony held at State House on September 23, 2016.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Inonge Wina, Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila and his Deputy Mumbi Phiri. Cabinet Ministers, Secretary to Cabinet Roland Msiska, and other senior government officials were also in attendance.
And speaking on the swearing ceremony, Lungu said he is available to consultations and visitations from the National Assembly. And that he will freely avail himself at all times to the National Assembly Speaker, Members of Parliament (MPs) and National Assembly staff.
“I shall be freely accessible to you Mr. Speaker, MPs and all National Assembly staff at all times as well as interpret their words and actions in most favourable manner,” Lungu said.
Matibini, Namugala and Malama took their oaths before the head of state
Earlier in the day, the National Assembly elected Dr. Matibini as Speaker ,Mrs. Namugala and Mr. Malama who all went un-opposed during the elections.
National Assembly Clerk Doris Mwinga announced that the trio were this morning elected by the MPs in accordance with the Constitution Article 82 (6) and National Assembly Standing Orders 4 and 5.
Mwinga further disclosed that Namugala and Malama were elected with Standing Order 5 (16) provision.
“The Members of Parliament shall elect, by secret ballot, a Speaker of the National Assembly from a list of names of persons, who are qualified to be elected as Members of Parliament, but are not Members of Parliament, submitted to the National Assembly by the President; political parties holding seats in the National Assembly, a person is qualified to be elected as Speaker of the National Assembly if that person is a citizen by birth or descent; does not have dual citizenship; has been ordinarily resident in Zambia; and is at least thirty-five years old,” the Constitution reads in part.