President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has shown some wisdom and deft touches with several decisions that he has made since taking up office. He has formally recognised the Chitimukulu, set new records with the appointment of capable women to high office and managed to attract a promised visit from the Head of State of Ghana – indicating a restoration of our otherwise tarnished reputation with our friends abroad.
The most recent decision to reappoint Dr. Bwalya Ng’andu as deputy governor of the Central Bank and to seek a win-win solution to the deadlock between mining companies and the Zambia Revenue Authority reflects a welcome approach that deserves commendation.
However, all of this stands in stark contrast to the piecemeal manner in which members of cabinet have been appointed. To date, we still have no indication as to who will take charge of the ministries of agriculture, defence, education, youth and sport, energy and mining. Many of these are critical to economic progress and social development. As policy advisers to the president, cabinet plays a critical role in ensuring that we remain in course with our commitments as a nation.
We urge the president to live up to his inauguration pledge to hit the ground running. We urge him to return from holiday to oversee the development and economic freedom our nation so badly needs.
Elias C. Chipimo, Jnr
President
National Restoration Party
Chipimo you have always been good at analysing others in a very neutral manner.
But I think you are aware our President is barely 2 weeks into his term and has promised to complete his cabinet by his 3rd week. It’s a working holiday, as you see he has been having meetings.
That said I implore you Chipimo to quickly take a neutral analysis of your political fortunes and make drast decisions, maybe form an NGO and work with youth even though you’re close to 60 and don’t qualify as one
Ba Pg the skeleton cabinet is not helping us at all. do you realize the sensitivity of the ministries without ministers. do you even understand the new developments at the mines now? your arguments should be in the interest of Zambians. Chipimo is very right.
The PS is the CEO of a ministry, we do not need those political ministers .well done Mr President ,they can wait. please do not bring them back yet ,let them comeback to earth a little bit.
Like some has said, the president is on a working holiday. Chipimo is playing very cheap politics.
Edgar is better off taking 2-3 weeks to form a team, than appoint people who will not perform or deliver. Its shows that he is seeking wisdom and reflecting
It took Bill Clinton more than 5 months to form his entire government. Obama also went through the same time scale.
Its not like Edgar has gone to just rest and disconnect from the reality of governing – he went with his team & advisors.
BesideS, he is entitled to have a break. Every year, the sitting president is scheduled to take a working-holiday at this precise time & month.
I am not for PF – but Chipimo – please try something else to score political gains.
He will return…in six day’s time…with a full compliment of cabinet appointments…it’s a retreat…(he is not surrendering…). Meantime PS’s are taking care of government business…are we that impatient…
Lets give the president time to work without distractions from overzealous guys.
Chipimo very articulate this wise young lawyer. Him and Miyanda would be a great team. Why are all those people also on Holiday with the president.
The Good thing is Lungu is so mature that he is not listening to such cheap criticism. The guy is focused on building a solid team.
The only worry i have is, will the PF survive after cabinet is completed? EL has a difficult Job of rebuilding the PF so that it can win in 2016 and so that it can continue its development agenda.
Lungu would rather travel to Zimbabwe. …he has achieved his goal of being president with no vision! !
I like that from Jay Jay . As if things can change ai
true we need progress in our lovely country.we support progressive ideas
Luzaz Let his HE ECL complete his retreat.he gave us 7days so lets wait and see.
Dont just yap
Chipimo is a leader of an opposition party. He therefore is playing his role of providing checks and balances. He has complemented President Lungu for what he has done so far and his language is moderate. Carry on brother. Unlike what you and FDD President did in 2011 when you attacked your brother and fellow opposition leader HH. Anyway, let us look forward and let by-gones be by-gones.