Be humble, President warns

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 07:51:07 +0000

… as 2 ministers sworn in

By ANNIE ZULU

PRESIDET Edgar Lungu has advised ministers to be humble and courteous to Zambians because it was the people who put them in power.

He said he had realised that most ministers had become arrogant to the very people that voted for them.

“My counsel to my ministers is that be humble to Zambians who voted for you. Do not be puffed up but be like myself, humble and a servant of the people,” Mr Lungu said.

He affirmed that the Patriotic Front (PF) still remains the most attractive political party in Zambia and those who want to leave are free to do so, President Edgar Lungu said.

He was speaking at State House yesterday when he swore in Joseph Malanji as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Alexander Chiteme as Minister of Development Planning respectively.

President Lungu wondered how some people do not want to work with him in Government yet they were clinging on to the PF when he was the same person heading government and the party.

He said it was strange that some people do not want to serve under him in Government but they had opted to remain in the party which he also heads with others even going to court.

“If you cannot serve under PF, then leave. I am the same President of Government and the PF. We are still a party of choice, PF is still attractive.  This is why some are even going to court so they can remain in the party. More people still support PF and 2021 will be a walk over,” President Lungu said.

Mr Malanji, the Kwacha Member of Parliament  replaces Mr Harry Kalaba who resigned from Government last week, while Mr Chiteme (Nkana MP) takes over from nominated Member of Parliament Lucky Mulusa who was recently relieved of his nomination and ministerial post.

He also urged the ministers to avoid posting unpalatable things against the electorate on social media.

“The things you write on social against the very people that voted for you are read. So be humble and do not allow power to get into you,” President Lungu said.

And Mr Chiteme said implementation of the 7th National Development Plan (NDP) would be his immediate priority.

And Mr Malanji assured the President that he was equal to the task and would pay back by walking the talk.