By SYLVESTER MWALE
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has pardoned and released three •PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu gestures as he shares a light moment with newly-appointed Energy and Water Development Minister Dora Siliya (right) after she was sworn in at State House in Lusaka yesterday. Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATE HOUSE

By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
NEWLY-APPOINTED Energy and Water Development Minister, Dora Siliya has been tasked to find means and ways of generating adequate hydro power to end the current power deficit in the country.
President Edgar Lungu said at State House yesterday when he swore in Ms Siliya to her new portfolio that he had no doubt in her ability to deliver as she was a hardworking person.
The President also swore in Lawrence Evans as the new Livestock and Fisheries deputy minister.
“In the area of energy we have been beset with a deficit in hydro power and I know that it is a regional, global crisis. I would like to ask you (Siliya) to come along with me, let us implement that which we have promised the people. I have no doubt that you are very hardworking, strong and committed ?to work,” Mr Lungu said.
Mr Lungu said in his quest to deliver to the people of Zambia, he was careful with the manner he chose his ministers because he was only looking for those who were hardworking and would help foster national development.
Mr Lungu said some people had called the speech he delivered when he officially opened the current session of Parliament in discrediting fashion, but reassured Zambians he was a man who “walks the talk”.
He, however, said that his promises to Zambians could only be realised with the support of his Cabinet ministers.
“So I have chosen you two because I believe we will be able to do that which I talked about during my speech to Parliament, which the people of Zambia are yawning from Government,” Mr Lungu said.
He said the current power deficit required the efforts of various stakeholders to be cushioned effectively through increasing generation capacity for local consumption and export.
Mr Lungu said he was happy that Ms Siliya was a woman as his strength was also derived from more women in his Cabinet.
To Mr Evans, the President expressed confidence that he would improve the livestock and fisheries industry in Zambia as he was also hardworking and had vast experience as a farmer.
He advised Mr Evans not to bring shame to him by failing to deliver to the expectations of livestock farmers and those in the fishing business.
“I hope two to three years from now, we should be able to have enough fish even to export,” Mr Lungu said.
He said he had held consultations with some traditional leaders, where it was proposed that some water bodies be temporarily closed to allow for fresh breeding of fish.
The President, however, said he would need to consult further on the issue as he did not want to be labeled a dictator if he went ahead to impose the decision.
Ms Siliya and Mr Evans said in separate interviews after being sworn in that they were humbled by the President’s appointment and promised to deliver to the expectations of the Zambians.
Ms Siliya said she would dedicate October 18, which is the Day of Repentance, Prayer and Fasting, to God so that He could provide her strength and guidance in her new post.
Meanwhile, all deputy ministers will on Monday start attending Cabinet meetings at State House.
President Lungu said the move was aimed at making it easier for the ministers to answer to questions during ?Parliament and to be able to implement Government policies.
Mr Lungu said that deputy ministers had been finding it difficult to handle some of the questions posed to them in Parliament because they were not part of Cabinet deliberations.