Statement by His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu President of the Republic of Zambia During the Swearing in Ceremony On Friday, 3rd January, 2020 State House Lusaka

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Statement by His Excellency Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu

President of the Republic of Zambia

During the Swearing in Ceremony On Friday, 3^rd January, 2020

State House Lusaka

I wish to congratulate you the three learned counsels on your respective appointments to serve as members of the Judicial Complaints Commission. I also wish to extend my congratulations to you Mr Sastone Silomba on your promotion as Permanent Secretary.

Let me start by addressing members of the Judicial Complaints Commission:

Mr. William Nyirenda, SC, Chairperson of the Judicial Complaints Commission;

Mrs. Irene Mwezi Kunda- Commissioner; and

Mr. Andrew Dean Mwansa Mumba- Commissioner:

Your individual appointments to serve as members of the commission and subsequent ratification by parliament is a clear indication of the confidence and trust that the people of Zambia have in you to undertake this huge responsibility.

The three of you are highly qualified and seasoned members of the bar. I have no doubt that your combined vast experience in the various aspects of the law will enable you to handle complaints of misconduct received by the commission against judges and judicial officers.

It is, therefore, my expectation that you will serve the people of Zambia diligently as you perform your duties as stipulated by the law. Most importantly, you will be expected to carry out independent investigations relating to   complaints or allegations of misconduct to give fair recommendations.

Mr Sastone Silomba

Permanent Secretary-Ministry of gender

You have been sworn-in as Permanent Secretary, a very senior position in the civil service.  The oath of office you have taken today requires you to give policy direction and perform controlling functions in the Ministry of Gender.

I am confident that given your background as an expert in Public Policy Management and Administration spanning over 20 years in the public service, you will use your skills to re-energise the portfolio mandate of your ministry.

It is disheartening that 25 years after the Beijing Gender Equality Conference, we still have gender inequalities across sectors.

Let me take this opportunity to urge you to ensure that Zambia meets the target of 50-50 gender representation as stipulated by the SADC protocol.

I am aware that there is a growing trend by some Permanent Secretaries to work in isolation, to the exclusion of their ministers. This practice is negatively affecting the performance of most ministries.

In this regard, I expect you to desist from this temptation, and instead work closely with your minister in discharging your duties.

 

As I conclude, let me reiterate my commitment to promoting officers from within the rank and file of the civil service. This is because there is no better way of motivating staff than to identify potential talent from within the service. I have demonstrated this in the recent past, and will continue doing so.

 

I, therefore, expect you Mr Silomba to be a role model to your colleagues who may aspire to rise to such senior positions in the government.

 

Do not disappoint me, and the people of Zambia who expect nothing less than loyalty and commitment to duty from public servants.

 

Congratulations on your deserved appointment.

 

Congratulations once again, to you the chairperson, and members of the Judicial Complaints Commission.

 

May God bless you all  and guide you in your new appointments.

 

I thank you.