Dear Editor,
LAST week, I expected President Bally to replace permanent secretaries he fired before he travelled for nkhani ya UNGA ku USA.
Traditionally, permanent secretaries are not fired without being replaced on temporal or “permanent” basis because they are controlling officers.
The Public Finance Management Act vests all financial responsibilities of ministries in these officers. Unless replaced, no funds ought to be expended in a ministry.
Next time, President Bally should fire when he has immediate replacements on hand.
I also expected him to make serious pronouncements on the mining sector, especially the messy liquidation process at KCM. He failed to do so last week.
I also expected him to congratulate Mopani Copper Mines for making US$57 million profit, for the first time in 20 years.
This mine requires US$200 million capital injection so that it trebles up production from 60, 000 to 180, 000 tonnes per annum. The profit would instead have been US$180 million. I can’t summarise why President Bally was mute on this.
Anyway, I hope this week he makes amends and addresses these issues.
I hope too that he gives clearance to the relevant ministries to proceed with our hemp and cannabis programmes. Our programmes are now running behind schedule.
Additionally, I expect him to clarify on the law that facilitates parliament to ratify loans before being contracted, as well as on widows and orphans who were left out of the realigned Office of the President.
Finally, I hope he gives clearance for employment of doctors, nurses and other medical and staff who were promised jobs in government soon after elections. Graduates who voted dressed in graduation gowns feel let down by President Bally for making any pronouncement this far.
PETER SINKAMBA.
