President Hakainde Hichilema has urged newly appointed ministers to work harder, uphold economic discipline and put national interests above personal gain.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of his second-term Cabinet at State House in Lusaka, President Hichilema said national progress depended on unity, effective coordination and timely implementation of government decisions.
“The country can only move forward if we work as one unitary state,” he said, urging ministers to “put national interest above self” and warning against delays in implementing decisions.
Among the newly appointed ministers are Hon. Peter Kapala, responsible for Electricity; Hon. Moses Moyo, responsible for Agriculture; and Dr Clement Andeleki, responsible for Home Affairs.
The President directed relevant ministers to ensure eligible citizens receive Social Cash Transfers and farmers access support under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
He challenged Kapala to deliver 10,000 megawatts of electricity and called for investment in alternative energy sources less dependent on rainfall.
President Hichilema also urged ministers to eliminate unnecessary administrative bottlenecks that discourage investment and strengthen coordination across government institutions.
He reminded Cabinet members to honour their oaths of office, maintain confidentiality in Cabinet deliberations and take collective responsibility for government decisions.
“Now is not the time to relax; it is time to work even harder,” he said.