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National Assembly Speaker, Nelly Mutti, has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to uphold the dignity of the House, remain open to learning and prioritise effective representation of citizens as they begin their work in the 14th Parliament.
Speaking during the induction programme for members of the 14th National Assembly in Lusaka on Monday, Mutti said parliamentary authority came with a responsibility to serve the nation faithfully and improve the lives of citizens.
She congratulated MPs who secured their seats through constituencies, as well as those elected through the proportional representation system, reminding them that they all carried the same constitutional obligation.
“All of you now bear the same constitutional obligation to serve the Republic faithfully, to uphold the dignity of your families, and to advance the welfare and aspirations of the people of this country,” Mutti said.
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The Speaker urged MPs to remain accessible to their constituents and respond to calls from members of the public.
“When those calls come, please pick up the phones and answer the phone,” she said.
Mutti added that the National Assembly was bigger than any individual member, political party or generation, describing Parliament as a key pillar of Zambia’s constitutional democracy.
She said the institution provided a platform for citizens’ voices to be brought into national discussions, laws to be enacted, public resources to be authorised and scrutinised, and the Executive to be held accountable.
“Membership of this House is therefore both a high honour and a solemn public trust. It confers authority, but it also demands discipline. It creates opportunity, but it also imposes responsibility,” she said.
Mutti urged MPs not to measure their success by the titles they hold, but by the quality of service they provide to citizens.
She said the induction programme was designed to familiarise members with parliamentary rules, conventions and procedures, while also helping returning MPs refresh their knowledge.
The programme will cover key areas including legislation, representation, oversight, approval of public expenditure and engagement with citizens.
Mutti assured MPs that they would receive institutional support in carrying out their mandate, saying effective parliamentary work required cooperation among legislators, parliamentary staff, citizens, civil society and other partners.
“In other words, you don’t walk alone. Be rest assured, honourable members, you will never walk alone,” she said.
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