Ndola — GOVERNMENT has advised various stakeholders in the Constitution-making process to desist from issuing ultimatums and instead embrace dialogue that will lead to reaching a consensus and adopting a new Republican Constitution.

Chief Government spokesperson, Mike Mulongoti, said the Government had embraced dialogue with the civil society and other stakeholders in the Constitution-making process, but was disappointed that some organisations were issuing ultimatums to the Government.

Mr Mulongoti was reacting to a Press statement by the Constitution Coalition 2008 (CC-2008) in which it rejected the proposed Constitutional Conference (CC) and urged the Government to immediately establish a Constituent Assembly (CA) by enacting the CA bill into law.

In a statement signed by CC-2008 chairman, Darius Kanse, and secretary, Gerald Mutelo, the organisation said the Government should establish the CA by enacting the CA Bill immediately.

But, Mr Mulongoti said the Government was ready to dialogue with the civil society and other stakeholders, but those that wanted to issue ultimatums should find other people to deal with.

"As Government, we are ready to dialogue with the civil society and other stakeholders in the Constitution-making process, but those who want to give ultimatums will answer themselves because the Government has passed the stage of ultimatums.

"Government is dialoguing with all those that want to dialogue, but those that want to give ultimatums can find other people to work with," Mr Mulongoti said.

Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president, Leonard Hikaumba, has said the CC should be used to iron out various contentious issues and generate consensus in the Constitution-making process.

He was happy that the CC had been formed to dialogue and resolve various issues in the Constitution-making process and advised stakeholders in the Zambia Centre for the Inter-party Dialogue (ZCID) to put national interest first.

He said both the Government and other stakeholders should tread carefully in the Constitution-making process to avoid the process from being a waste of time and resources.

He advised stakeholders to desist from being petty and leveling unsubstantiated accusations against Government leaders.

Zambians would only enact a Constitution that would stand the test of time, if they desist from settling personal and political scores using the Constitution-making process.

"Our emphasis as ZCTU is on the need to dialogue and reach consensus in the Constitution-making process. We believe that stakeholders should be systematic and agree on controversial issues regarding the Constitution.

"Anything short of dialogue and reaching consensus would be a waste of time and resources.

"To ensure that this process is not a waste of time and resources, let us ensure that we put national interest first, we are objective and desist from being personal or political. Personal hatred or bitterness will not help us to enact a better Constitution," Mr Hikaumba said.