Neno North legislator Thoko Tembo has clarified that he will not take up the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, despite being elected to the position earlier this week.
Tembo, who is also a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), said parliamentary rules prevent IPU representatives from chairing other committees — a provision that was only communicated after the election.
In a public statement, Tembo thanked his fellow Members of Parliament for the confidence they showed in him, saying it was an honour to be entrusted with leadership responsibilities by colleagues.
However, he stressed that he must fully respect the rules governing parliamentary assignments.
“According to parliamentary guidelines, members serving on international IPU committees are not eligible to hold the position of chair.
In full respect of these rules, I will not be taking up the chairmanship,” he said. Tembo added that he remains committed to serving as an active member of the Agriculture Committee.
He said he will continue pushing for increased funding toward the establishment of irrigation schemes in Neno, noting that the district continues to grapple with hunger due to recurring droughts.
Tembo emphasized that his focus remains on championing the interests of farmers, advancing food security and contributing to national development. “My commitment remains unchanged: to work hard, represent you with integrity and deliver results,” he said.
Meanwhile, other Neno legislators have been assigned to influential parliamentary committees.
Neno East MP Mary Maulidi Khembo has been appointed to the Governance, Assurance and Public Sector Reforms Committee, the Legal Affairs Committee and the SADC Parliamentary Reforms Committee. Khembo — who was elected chairperson of the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus last week — said she will use her roles to push for stronger protections for women and girls.
Neno South MP Mutani Tambala has secured positions on the Education, Science and Technology Committee as well as the Budget and Finance Committee, placing him at the centre of key national oversight and policy processes.
With all three Neno MPs now serving across high-impact committees, the district is expected to maintain a strong voice in debates on governance, agriculture and development.
