PS promises to tackle challenges facing ZAF

Sat, 15 Oct 2016 10:56:09 +0000

NEWLY appointed Defence Permanent secretary, Sturdy Mwale says his doors are open and that during his tenure of office he will operate on an open door policy in order to deal with any challenges affecting the ministry. Speaking when he went on a familiarisation tour at Zambia Air Force headquarters in Lusaka, Mr Mwale assured the Zambia Air Force commander Lieutenant general Eric Chimense that he would embrace an open door policy so that together they could deal with the challenges the department that fell under his ministry faced.

Mr Mwale said he would work together with the people who were already in the system for smooth operation and ensure that ZAF delivered the best to the nation. Mr Mwale expressed gratitude to President Edgar Chagwa Lungu for appointing him, saying that he would work hard to embrace both the successes and challenges of the ministry. And Lieutenant-General Chimense said the appointment of Mr Mwale as Defence Permanent Secretary was a demonstration of the confidence President Lungu had in the appointee and was hopeful that Mr Mwale would add value to ZAF.

Gen Chimense observed that any institution in a growing economy like Zambia’s would have challenges, but that he viewed the challenges as opportunities to make differences and pledged to remain loyal and supportive to the Government of the day. He assured the PS of maximum support and cooperation in order to push the Ministry of Defence to greater heights. Lt Gen Chimense was optimistic that with his experience, the PS would bring value to the institution and said ZAF would always look up to the ministry for policy and strategic guidance.

The Commander stressed that the challenges that the Air Force faced would be treated as opportunities to be explored and that the newly build hospital would not only benefit ZAF personnel, but the surrounding communities too. Meanwhile, ZAF chief of medical services Mwinga Sheyo accompanied Gen Chimense and other officers took Mr Mwale on a tour of the newly-built hospital and the Very Very Important (VVIP) wing currently under construction. The Hospital boasts of a laboratory, a mini theater, an observation ward for male, female and children patients.