By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
ACTING President Ngosa Simbyakula yesterday swore-in five permanent secretaries and urged them to immediately start working.
The five are Finance Permanent Secretary (PS), Ronald Simwiinga, Information and Broadcasting Services PS Godfrey Malama, Muchinga Province PS Bright Nundwe, Lusaka Province PS Stardy Mwale and Western Province PS Mwangala Liomba.
The five promised to uphold the rule of the law and work with President Edgar Lungu in delivering to the expectations of the people of Zambia.
Dr Simbyakula said after swearing-in the five at State house yesterday that he was in constant touch with the President and that he instructed him to swear the appointees so that they could get to work immediately.
He said Mr Lungu had confidence in the five permanent secretaries and that they would deliver in their respective portfolios.
“I am in constant touch with his Excellency and he has instructed me to swear you in so that you can get to work,” Dr Simbyakula said.

•NEWLY appointed Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Godfrey Malama (right) presents the affidavit of oath to Acting President Ngosa Simbyakula during the swearing-in ceremony yesterday. Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA (See story on page 2)

Dr Simbyakula further told Mr Simwinga, Mr Malama, Mr Nundwe, Mr Mwale and Mr Liomba that there were many Zambians on whom the President would have picked from but he decided to pick on them because he had confidence in them.
Speaking in separate interviews after being sworn in, Mr Simwinga, Mr Malama and Mr Lyomba thanked Mr Lungu for appointing them.
Mr Simwinga said he would offer his knowledge and skills to contribute in the ongoing reforms at the ministry of Finance.
Mr Malama called for responsible reporting by the media as it played a vital role in the development of the country and enhancement of democracy.
“Yes we have the power as the media but this power must be exercised at all times with great measure of responsibility,” Mr Malama said.