Ndola — It is important that you ensure a popular Constitution is produced for Zambians, President Levy Mwanawasa has implored MMD members attending the National Constitutional Conference (NCC).

Dr Mwanawasa made the challenge at an MMD national executive committee caucus at State House yesterday. The president also informed the meeting that he was disappointed with MMD Lusaka Province chairperson, Geoffrey Chumbwe's 'careless' statement on Zimbabwe and advised that statements should only be issued by the spokesperson.

MMD information and publicity committee chairperson, Benny Tetamashimba, said this in a statement after the meeting. Dr Mwanawasa said NCC members from the ruling party should always attend meetings and avoid debates that border on personalities. He said he was looking forward to a Constitution that would be acceptable to all the Zambians. The members thanked President Mwanawasa for the manner in which he chaired the special Southern African Development Community meeting in Lusaka recently and his appeal to African countries not to allow a ship from China to offload arms destined for Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala has challenged NCC delegates to avoid being partisan. Justice Sakala said the delegates should not represent views of their political parties but those of the many Zambians who were expecting a lot from the deliberations. He advised them to discuss issues with open minds and to pay attention to every debate as participating in the NCC with a fixed mind would affect the Constitution-making process. Justice Sakala said every Zambian wanted to participate so that they could contribute to pertinent issues that affected them, but they were also members through their representatives. Justice Sakala said this when he swore in 11 NCC delegates at the Supreme Court conference room in Lusaka. "It is impossible to reach a 100 per cent consensus on various issues but, at least, go there with an open mind and represent us as Zambians.

"Mind you, you have a serious assignment, as you take oath today know that you need to represent the masses." He said a lot had been said in the past but for the first time in the history of Zambia, the NCC had taken a step to debate on what type of a Constitution the people should have. He advised the delegates to accept the outcome of the majority because, at the end of the day, what was needed was a representative Constitution. Among those sworn in were Presidential Affairs Minister, Cecil Holmes, and Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe.

Others were representatives from the University of Zambia Student's Union and some church organisations. Later, Mr Holmes said the biggest challenge for the delegates was for them to tackle issues affecting children, youths and women so that everybody felt part of the Zambian society.