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President Hakainde Hichilema has unveiled his new Cabinet, assigning portfolios to newly appointed Ministers following their swearing-in at State House in Lusaka on Wednesday.
Those appointed are Ambrose Lufuma as Minister of Defence, Dr. Clement Andeleki as Minister of Home Affairs, Moses Moyo as Minister of Agriculture, Olive Chiboola as Minister of Livestock, Dr. Caroline Katotobwe as Minister of Trade and Exports.
Former National Road Fund Agency Board Chairperson Noel Nkoma as Minister of Industry and Lucky Sichone as Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise.
Others are Brenda Tambatamba as Minister of Mines, Peter Kapala as Minister of Electricity, Makozo Chikote as Minister of Petroleum, Princess Kasune as Minister of Tourism, Collins Nzovu as Minister of Infrastructure, Patrick Mucheleka as Minister of Lands and Elisha Matambo as Minister of Water Development and Sanitation.
The list also includes Elvis Nkandu as Minister of Information and Media, Douglas Syakalima as Minister of Skills and Higher Education, Felix Mutati as Minister of Technology and Science, and Harry Kamboni as Minister of Education.
Gift Sialubalo has been returned to serve as Minister of Local Government, Jack Mwiimbu as Minister of Justice, Misheck Nyambose as Minister of Labour and Social Security, Sheal Mulyata as Minister of Community Development, Likando Mufalali as Minister of Youth and Sports and Christopher Chibuye as Minister of Culture and Arts.
President Hichilema urged the newly appointed Ministers to uphold the Constitution, respect the rule of law and serve all Zambians with equity and without discrimination.
He warned them against blocking or delaying investments, saying such conduct will be defined as bad behaviour in Cabinet.
Speaking when he addressed the new Ministers following their appointments, President Hichilema said respect for the law and civil debate should be a priority for both the public and private sector.
“It’s a priority of the Vice President. It has to be. And therefore all of us. Not even in just public sector law but even in the private sector. In our private environments we shouldn’t do things that damage the nation,” he said.
President Hichilema said leaders should embrace civilized debate as a way of fostering civility among citizens and injecting a sense of unity in the country.
“Debating a civilized way. In there even this afternoon I’ll be watching. I do watch the debates. But it’s not just the people here and inside there. All of us must debate in a civilized way,” he said.
The Head of State emphasized that the Government should operate within the law and where the law was an impediment, it should be amended through Parliament and not broken.
“We stay within the law. We operate within the law. When the law is standing in our way we change it. Isn’t it? That’s why you sit in that house. You’re privileged to be in the executive at the same time you are in the legislature,” President Hichilema said.
He further said there should be no distinction among Zambians in service delivery and that all citizens must be treated equally regardless of where they reside.
“Save all Zambians. There’s no distinction between Zambians. There’s no lesser Zambians and more deceiving or important Zambians. And in these laws it will show how you serve the people,” President Hichilema said.
He singled out key social protection and agriculture programmes, directing that beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer, Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and Food Security Pack (FSP) must receive support based on eligibility.
“If certain criteria is ascribed for people to receive social cash transfer. Madam Muliata. It does not matter where they reside in the country. They must receive social cash transfer. They must receive social cash transfer,” President Hichilema said.
The President disclosed that he was aware of distortions in the distribution of social support and had confronted those responsible, saying Zambians must feel Government is serving them equitably.
He added that the Government was on a zero base situation and has nothing to lose from granting incentives to investors, as even Pay As You Earn alone would improve revenue.
President Hichilema said the appointments come with high expectations from citizens and that the new Ministers should work with diligence, integrity and commitment to national unity.
“So country can only move forward effectively when we work as one unitary state. Not in duality, no, one unitary state. Any other administrative arrangements are for convenience. So to deliver services to people,” he said.
President Hichilema urged the new Ministers to be confidential in their work, uphold both individual and collective responsibility, and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability.
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