HH REALIGNMENT TO GROW ZAMBIA AGENDA

…with Whitney Mulobela explaining that the 2024 drought, which resulted in prolonged load shedding, has prompted the need for dedicated ministry to the energy sector By BARNABAS ZULU STATE House has defended President Hakainde Hichilema’s proposed realignment of Government ministries, which has seen the creation of eight new ministries, stating that the restructuring is designed to accelerate economic growth and improve accountability. Whitney Mulobela, the State House Chief Communication Strategist says the proposed increase in ministerial portofolios would align Government operations with the Grow Zambia Agenda and its targets for 2031. “This is not bigger government for its own sake. It rebuilds the machinery of Government around the Grow Zambia Agenda,” Mr Mulobela said. Mr Mulobela said the Grow Zambia Agenda included producing 10 million tonnes of maize, generating 10, 000 megawatts of electricity, attracting five million tourists and producing three million tonnes of copper and three million tonnes of soya by 2031. He said the targets also included producing one million tonnes each of wheat and sugar, alongside developing a US$1 billion beef industry. Mr Mulobela said the proposed changes would result in a net increase of five ministries, with existing portfolios split to allow greater focus on specific sectors. He cited the separation of electricity and petroleum, saying the 2024 drought, which resulted in prolonged load shedding, had demonstrated the need for dedicated attention to the energy sector. “The 2024 drought gave us 17-hour load shedding and cut expected growth in half. Reaching 10, 000 MW by 2031 is a full-time job, and fuel supply is a different industry altogether,” he said. Mr Mulobela said the proposed realignment would also separate trade and exports from industry, while housing, skills and higher education, and culture and arts would receive dedicated ministerial attention. He said the housing portfolio required greater focus because the country faced a housing deficit of 1.5 million units, projected to reach three million by 2030. Mr Mulobela said the expansion of free education had added 2.3 million learners, increasing the need for skilled professionals such as engineers, geologists and artisans. He said the creative economy also required dedicated attention to support the target of attracting five million tourists. Mr Mulobela argued that the restructuring would not require the creation of entirely new departments and staffing structures because the relevant departments and personnel already existed. “The departments and staff already exist. What changes is the line of accountability above them,” he said. He said Zambia’s population had increased from 13.1 million in 2010 to more than 20 million, with approximately 700,000 people added annually. Mr Mulobela said the proposed structure would comprise 30 ministries, compared with the 28 inherited by the UPND administration in 2021. “The 2021 structure stabilised the economy. The 2026 structure is built to grow it,” he said

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