By MARTIN AKENDE
MINISTERS should not indulge in actions that might bring Government into disrepute and should avoid usurping the roles of technocrats, President Edgar Lungu has said.
President Lungu said usurping roles of technocrats would not only entangle the ministers but the rest of Government.
“Your role is policy formulation in your ministry,” he said during the swearing in ceremony of nominated MP Raphael Nakacinda as Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection at State House yesterday.
Mr Nakacinda’s appointment follows Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya’s dismissal on Sunday.
President Lungu implored Mr Nakacinda to focus on reviewing policies and programmes with a view to increasing investment in infrastructure development for water, sanitation and the environment.
This, he said, was a means to widen access to water and also reach the target of universal access by 2030. He urged Mr Nakacinda to double efforts in implementing policies that would open up areas of investment through public private partnerships in the sector.
“I am also aware that your ministry is working closely with various cooperating partners in implementing projects and programmes focused on increasing access to water by our people.
President Lungu also directed Mr Nakacinda to prioritise the Kafulafuta Dam project on the Copperbelt and ensure it was completed.
He said the dam would ease water challenges for thousands of people on the Copperbelt when completed.
President Lungu also advised the new minister to take keen interest in rain harvesting techniques.
