THE assurance by Vice-President, George Kunda that the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) will complete its work by December next yearis assurance enough and should silencethose agitating for the NCC to conclude its work prematurely.

From the onset, the Government has remained unwavering in its commitment to ensure that Zambiagets a Constitution which would stand the test of time.

Yet, there have been those who have deliberatelytakenan antagonistic pathand scepticism in the face ofthiscommitment.

Despite this, the Government has notbeensidetracked and has not spared any effort to ensure that the processis sustained and remains on course.

It is not clear whysome sections of the society havealways chosen to be negative and demanding unrealisticdeadlines for the country to produce the Constitution.

A Constitution isa very important document for any country because it forms the legalbasis upon which the Stateis to be run.

The document contains far-reaching guidelines and provisions touching on every aspect of activity in the country.

Because of this,the Constitution-making process demands extra attention to detail and must not be rushed through to meet the demands of some sections of society.

It is unrealistic, therefore, for any one to suggest untenable deadlines in the making of the Constitutionfor Zambia.

As the vice-presidenthas pointed out,the current Constitution-making programme is a realisticonewhich should not be rushed but be allowed to run its full course, which is before the next general election in 2011.

Whatever the debates, the interests of the country must prevail because posterity will judge this generation harshly if we leave a Constitution that has the potential to divide the nation.

The bestfor all Zambians to do now is to gear themselves to fully and actively participate in the Constitution-making process.

The time framegiven for the conclusion of the process should be used by citizens to participate and have their input considered in the process.

The Government has provided leadership by constituting the NCC, and it is the people who will ultimately decide what Constitution the country will have.