Sata commends NIPA

PRESIDENT Micheal Sata has commended the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) for remaining buoyant despite the challenges and uncertainties faced even in the absence of government aid.

In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Education, Science, Vocational training and Early Education John Phiri, the President said the biggest challenge the institution had faced was to be hived from central government financial support in 2000.

He said he was pleased with NIPA for managing to open up to private sector organisations as well as individuals and new client-driven programmes in order to improve its financial support.

“Even though there have been many achievements in the last 50 years of existence, NIPA needs to continuously re-examine its position as a Management Development Institute (MDI) in Zambia in the context of the national economy,” he said.

He said the opening up of tertiary institutions offering similar services posed a challenge for NIPA to keep reviewing its curriculum so that it remained relevant to its clients in offering quality services.

The President appealed to the graduating students to go out and deliver quality services in the development of the nation as they would be laying a great picture about NIPA.

NIPA principal Mwindaace Sikazwe said the institution was constructing an ultra modern library, ICT and conference centre to enable it better deliver on its training mandate to its private sector clients as well as forge professional linkages and strategic networks with other institutions.

“As we celebrate the 14th graduation ceremony this year, many of you would agree with me the fact that NIPA has contributed immensely to the national development as a staff training college, centre for senior civil service officer’s induction and a trainer of private, public sector employees at large,” said Sikazwe.

And the Zambian Government is planning to start enrolling and training 4,000 student nurses every year to alleviate shortages of nurses in health facilities in the country, Health Deputy Minister Christopher Mulenga has said.

Mr Mulenga said the planned enrolment of health staff was a clear testimony of the firm resolve that the Patriotic Front (PF) Government had made to better the health of citizens by having adequate, skilled and motivated health workers.