By JAMES KUNDA –

• PRESIDENT Lungu during the launch of the performance-based contract system for permanent secretaries at Government Complex in Lusaka yesterday. Picture by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has bemoaned the poor performance of the public service despite Government consistently improving the working conditions for staff.
The Head of State has since implored staff in the public service to scale-up performance of individual roles for Government to accelerate the country’s social and economic transformation.
“You will recall that in September 2013, this Government is on record to have awarded an unprecedented salary increment to date in a bid to improve employee motivation, productivity and performance.
“Yet, Government and the public at large still remain less than satisfied with the level and quality of services offered by our public service,” Mr Lungu said.
He was speaking at the new Government Complex in Lusaka yesterday, when he launched the performance-based contract system for permanent secretaries.
The launch was a fulfillment of Government’s pledge to transform the public service into a professional and result-oriented institution capable of delivering quality services to the people.
The rollout of the performance-based system started with permanent secretaries and district commissioners after which it would be extended to ministers, boards and chief executives.
President Lungu said Government was prompted to introduce the performance-based system for the public service to enhance accountability among job holders.
“The implementation of this system will forever change the way we do things in the public service. The introduction of performance-based contracts for the permanent secretaries will entail, among other things, changing the operating environment so that it is both accountable and predictable,” Mr Lungu said.
He said the introduction of the performance-based contracts would contribute to the concept of a ‘Smart Zambia Now’.
Mr Lungu said the combination of the e-Government and performance-based contracts would launch the country on a robust road towards the attainment of Zambia’s vision to become a middle-income country by 2030.
He said the system had so far yielded results in countries such as Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, New Zealand, Uganda and the United Kingdom.
Mr Lungu warned that failure by an officer to excel in two consecutive annual appraisals as demanded by the system would lead to dismissal from employment.
“Let it be borne in mind by public service workers that two consecutive poor performance reviews will result in termination of engagement from the public service in preference to other deserving Zambians.
“I know that ministers probably under our current system may not suffer being recalled by the electorate, but certainly, you will be dropped,” President Lungu warned.
Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska said the reform would enhance the delivery of public services to the people.
“What we are launching today is a result of a wide consultative process with the intent to enhance the capacity of the public service to respond to the daily needs of the people,” Dr Msiska said.
The launch of the performance-based contracts system was witnessed by Vice-President Inonge Wina, Cabinet ministers and their deputies, and members of the diplomatic corps.