PRESIDENT Michael Sata yesterday met opposition MMD Members of Parliament (MPs) serving in Government to discuss development in their constituencies and how best they can collaborate with Government on other matters.

The President said there should be serious joint efforts across party lines to consolidate the nation's new developmental path.

This is contained in a statement released in Lusaka by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations, George Chellah.

Mr Sata's doors remained open to all parliamentarians wishing to engage Government on issues concerning their areas and people they represented.

"President Sata regards the parliamentarians as forward-thinking allies in the struggle to achieve development goals set by the Patriotic Front (PF), such as unlimited access to education and health for all, sustained economic growth, job creation, equal distribution of resources and rural development," Mr Chellah said.

During the meeting, the Head of State reiterated his appreciation of the progressive and patriotic attitude exhibited by the MMD parliamentarians serving in Government.

And the MPs pledged their loyalty and support to the PF Government in working towards developing the country.

The MPs who attended the meeting were Keith Mukata (Chilanga), Richard Taima (Solwezi East), Josephine Limata (Luampa) and Patrick Chikusu (Katuba).

Others were David Phiri (Mkaika), Nicholas Banda (Kapoche), Elijah Muchima (Mwinilunga West), Patrick Ngoma (Feira) and Forrie Tembo (Nyimba).

Newly-elected Mufumbwe PF MP Stephen Masumba also attended the meeting and was accompanied by his campaign manager, Jean Kapata, who is Mandevu PF MP.