On Wednesday, 27th April, 2016, Hon Speaker Dr Patrick Matibini, SC, MP officially launched the Chawama Parliamentary Constituency Office which was constructed by Click Zambia Limited as a donation to the people of Chawama constituency.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Speaker said that opening of the constituency office was a great milestone in the parliamentary reforms which aimed at taking parliament closer to the people and that its development would give the people of chawama a platform through which they would engage with their area Member of Parliament. He further said that the office would improve and develop constituent relations through improved communications.
The Chawama area Member of Parliament, Hon Lawrence Sichalwe, said, the newly built Constituency Office was a reflection of the increasing acceptance of the fact that democracy and good governance were not a luxury, but a fundamental requirement to achieve sustainable development. He further said, the people of Chawama were not an exception and should not be left behind. Parliaments as key state institutions in the democratic system of governance have a critical role to play in promoting democracy and good governance. As democratically elected representatives of the people, Parliamentarians have the honourable task to ensure that governance is by the people and for the people. In the performance of their key functions of legislation, representation and oversight, parliaments can actively engage in the development and implementation of laws, policies and practices that promote democracy and good governance.
Honourable Lawrence Sichalwe, MP, Chawama Constituency Office area Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President, emphasized that the National Assembly Constituency Offices were non-partisan and not for Patriotic Front (PF) members only, but for everyone regardless of their political affiliation.
Meanwhile, Akis Vasilakopoulos, Chairman at Clicks Zambia Limited, in his remarks said the creation of the constituency office was a result of the country’s desire to increase emphasis on public participation and accountability in parliamentary affairs. The office which is non-partisan plays a vital role in enabling the public to become active citizens as they offered direct interaction opportunities with Members of Parliament.
The Clerk of National Assembly, Mrs Doris Mwiinga, thanked Click Zambia Limited for the positive contribution to society and appealed to the business community across the country to emulate such acts. She urged the people of Chawama Constituency to utilise the facility and benefit from all the services it had to offer.
In attendance at  the handover ceremony of the Chawama Constituency Office were the Members of the Reforms and Modernisation Committee, the Permanent Secretary of Lusaka Province, Lusaka District Commissioner, staff of National Assembly, the media and members of the public.