The constitution making process should now come to a definite end and the peoples’ views should not be replaced by partisan views said Bulawayo Agenda Chairperson, Royal Ntini while congratulating the MDC-T party on its thirteenth anniversary last Saturday.
The chairman challenged COPAC to ensure that devolution of power is not altered by a coterie of individuals in the turbulent Government of National Unity who are opposed to it. He said political parties should respect what the people said during the constitution outreach process.
Specifically addressing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who is also the President of the MDC-T, Ntini said:
“As we complete the constitution making process, we call upon your office and party to push for the completion of the constitution making process and ensure that it reflects the people’s views on devolution of power among other things. Bulawayo Agenda has consulted widely in the six provinces in which it works and people have told us that they want devolution of power.”
There are fears that devolution of power is bit by bit being eroded at every stage of the constitution making process.
According to Copac co-chairperson, Douglas Mwonzora, 6 out of 10 provinces clearly demanded devolution of power ahead of centralization. The remaining 4 are said to have demanded direct control of their natural resources which legal experts have said can only be delivered thorugh devolution of power.
Other civil society organizations representatives also congratulated the MDC-T on its anniversary and also challenged it to champion the development discourse in the country.
The anniversary celebrations where held at the White City Stadium. Earlier on that day, Bulawayo Agenda had facilitated an interface meeting between civil society and the Prime Minister where a number of development-related issues such and unemployment amidst company exodus from Bulawayo, water shortages, the constitution making process, elections among others where tackled.