FULL CABINET SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY EDGAR LUNGU

YOUR HONOUR THE VICE PRESIDENT
HON. MINISTERS
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS
I CALLED YOU TO THIS PRESS CONFERENCE TO INFORM YOU AND THROUGH YOU, THE NATION, OF THE APPOINTMENTS I HAVE MADE TO CABINET.
THE PROCESS OF RE-ORGANISING GOVERNMENT IS NEVER AN EASY TASK. I HAVE HAD TO ENSURE THAT THE OUTLOOK OF GOVERNMENT IS AS REPRESENTATIVE AS POSSIBLE TO REFLECT THE BROAD NATIONAL CHARACTER IN ALL RESPECTS.
I HAVE HAD TO CALL-IN COLLEAGUES FROM THE OPPOSITION TO ENSURE SOME REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE WE DID NOT DO WELL IN THE ELECTIONS ARE ASSURED OF REPRESENTATION.
I HAVE HAD TO MAKE A CAREFUL BALANCING ACT TO BLEND THE OLD AND YOUNG BECAUSE WE IN THE PATRIOTIC FRONT BELIEVE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IS VERY CRITICAL IN REJUVENATING THE VERY IDEA OF GOVERNMENT.
I HAVE HAD TO ENSURE THAT WE IMPROVE ON WOMEN REPRESENTATION. TO MAKE A CLEAR STATEMENT ON WHERE WE STAND ON GENDER EQUITY, I HAD TO APPOINT A WOMAN TO THE POSITION OF VICE-PRESIDENT, THE HIGHEST-EVER SUCH APPOINTMENT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.
ZAMBIA IS A COUNTRY FOR ALL OF US AND WE MUST ALL MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL. WE MUST TAKE HATRED OUT OF POLITICS AND BANISH ALL VICES THAT DIVIDE OUR PEOPLE. ELECTIONS ARE OVER AND THEREFORE IN OUR TRUE

CHARACTER AS A DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE, WE MUST SUMMON OUR COLLECTIVE WILL TO MOVE THE COUNTRY FORWARD. LET US COMPETE FREELY IN A MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS, TOLERATING ONE ANOTHER IN DIVERSITY AND ENSURING THAT EACH ONE US MAKE A CONTRIBUTION IN NATION BUILDING.
I WILL DEMAND NOTHING LESS THAN EXCELLENCE FROM ALL MY COLLEAGUES I HAVE CALLED INTO CABINET BECAUSE WE ARE IN HURRY TO DELIVER ON THE PROMISES WE MADE OUR PEOPLE.
AS I HAVE STATED BEFORE, WE DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF TIME BEFORE WE GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE TO ASK FOR THEIR VOTE.
AS PRESIDENT I SERVE NOTICE, AND I HAVE INFORMED ALL THE APPOINTEES TO MY GOVERNMENT, THAT I EXPECT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF INTEGRITY, PERFORMANCE, DISCIPLINE, AND UNITY OF PURPOSE.
I WANT TO RUN A DISCIPLINED GOVERNMENT AND THOSE NOT WILLING TO PLAY BY THE RULES OF COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY MUST LEAVE US.
NORMAL CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION WITHIN AND WITHOUT HAVE TO BE ADHERED TO, OTHERWISE THE ENTIRE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT WILL BE CHAOTIC.
I WILL ALLOW MY MINISTERS SUFFICIENT LEEWAY TO DISCHARGE THEIR FUNCTIONS AND MY SUPPORT IS GUARANTEED IN PUSHING THE AGENDA FOR DEVELOPMENT AIMED POVERTY REDUCTION FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE.
WHERE THERE IS NEED FOR LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY REFORM TO REDUCE ON UNNECESSARY BUREAUCRACY, I AM PREPARED TO TAKE URGENT STEPS TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY DELIVERY OF SERVICE.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE APPOINTMENTS I HAVE MADE TO MY CABINET:

Minister of Defence – H.E. Edgar Lungu
Vice-President – Inonge Wina
Justice – Ngosa Simbyakula
Finance – Alexander Chikwanda
Home Affairs -Davies Mwila
Foreign Affairs- Harry Kalaba
Health- Dr. Joseph Kasonde
Agriculture -Given Lubinda
Youth & Sport- Vincent Mwale
Tourism & Arts -Jean Kapata
Commerce- Margaret Duduzai Mwanakatwe
Mines, Energy – Christopher Bwalya Yaluma
Information and Broadcasting Services-Chishimba Kambwili
Lands and Natural Resources- Christabel Njimbu
Local Government-John Phiri
Labour -Fackson Shamenda
Community Development-Emerine Kabanshi
Chiefs& Traditional Affairs- Dr. Joseph Katema
Workd&Supply- Yamfwa Mukanga
Gender – Nkandu Luo
Education- Dr. Michael Kaingu