.KAMBWILI

By DELPHINE ZULU
NEWLY-APPOINTED Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili has assured employees at the Times of Zambia that they will soon be paid their salary arrears and has urged them to continue working hard.
Mr Kambwili said that he would ensure that salaries for Times Printpak employees were paid. He was speaking shortly after being sworn-in at State House yesterday.
“I am very much aware that employees at the Times of Zambia have gone for months without being paid,” Mr Kambwili said. “I can assure them that they will be paid their salary arrears, I will not tolerate a situation where I am paid my salary while my employees are not.”
The minister also said he would not tolerate journalists promoting tribalism in the newsrooms through their reporting because if left unchecked the trend could have serious consequences for the country.
He said Zambia had enjoyed 50 years of peace and it would not be fair for the media through their reporting to plunge the country into turmoil.
Mr Kambwili asked the media to be responsible in their reporting and avoid mudslinging but concentrate on reporting development issues and bringing to the attention of the Government matters that would need urgent attention.
“Stop this reporting based on hate and selfish motives, report responsibly and everyone will respect you,” Mr Kambwili said. “I warn you all, especially the online publications who are fond of reporting fiction stories. I will involve the FBI and CIA to clump them down.”
Newly-appointed Lands and Natural Resources Minister Christabel Ngimbu said she would ensure that Zambians were given priority in land issues and expressed happiness that women had been given an opportunity to prove themselves.
Education Minister Michael Kaingu said he was happy that he was the new Education minister and would ensure that serious concerns in the education sector were addressed.
“I will have to consult with everyone. That is a big ministry, I am just new but can assure you that this is a serious ministry and needs quality education,” Dr Kaingu said.