By Cathy Maulidi
Second deputy Speaker of Parliament Aisha Adams Friday backed Members of Parliament’s absenteeism and late coming to Parliament, arguing the MPs had valid reasons.
According to Adams, a good number of MPs did not show up at Parliament Friday as they reported being sick while others said they were at filling stations hunting for fuel.
Adams remarks followed a concern by Rumphi Central Member of Parliament Mcdowel Chidumba who complained that the House had less than 50 MPs.
“I have a very special observation in this house. I have noted that a number of Honourable members are absent and I’m requesting that a roll call should be taken because in here we are less than 50,” said Chidumba.
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But in her response to the request, Adams said it wouldn’t be proper to ask for a roll call every time.
She went further to communicate that some of the absent MPs sent leave of notice indicating that they are unwell.
“We know that some of the Honourable members are not feeling well. In addition to that, you know that we have a problem of fuel in this country and the members are queuing with anyone else to get fuel in our gas stations.
“You know, they can’t ask those people on the queue to allow them fuel first so that they should come to Parliament; they can even be shouted at if they try to do that,” Adams said.
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Adams was however quick to point out that there are some MPs who just miss Parliamentary proceedings without any proper reason.
“We know that there are some few members who are always absent, that much we know,” she said.
On Wednesday, the House convened meeting with only 55 members of Parliament, a thing leader of the House described as worrisome and ‘embarrassing’.
First Deputy Speaker Madalitso Kazombo threatened that the leadership would start to take serious action against the members who will continue to be absent.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has since demanded that the MPs who continue being absent should refund the allowances they get.
“The continued absenteeism is an attack on our democracy. MPs should be accountable and that accountability is about using taxpayers money prudently to represent the best interest of voters who they save.
“Pocketing money without doing the work is the same as stealing from the voters. We are calling upon the office of the speaker of Parliament to demand refund of the allowances. These allowances are not for free and MPs and Parliament should be exemplary to public on issues of accountability,” said Trapence.
This the first week of this Parliament meeting, with two roll call requests already.
