FAILURE TO APPOINT MINISTERS SHOWS HICHILEMA WAS NOT READY TO LEAD THE COUNTRY, SAYS HISTORIAN.
University of Zambia historian Professor Bizeck Phiri says President Hakainde Hichilema was not ready to lead the country, citing the delay in appointing ministers.
Professor Phiri says President Hichilema’s second term was expected to be different from his first because he now understands the government system, unlike when he first took office and had to familiarise himself with the system he inherited.
He says President Hichilema should have appointed ministers to all ministries before officially opening Parliament.
Professor Phiri has warned that the absence of a full Cabinet could weaken government coordination and oversight, despite constitutional provisions allowing the Head of State to govern without a complete ministerial team
Speaking to the media today, Professor Phiri said that although government operations could continue through Permanent Secretaries and other administrative structures, ministers were critical in providing political leadership and overseeing the affairs of their respective ministries.
He said operating without a full Cabinet could create gaps in the management of government affairs and negatively affect reporting procedures and coordination among civil servants.
Professor Phiri added that a fully constituted Cabinet was essential to ensuring the effective implementation of the Grow Zambia agenda, with ministers providing oversight and accountability across different sectors.
-Zambian Watch.