Maravi

Dora demands to take photo with Rupiah

Dora demands to take photo with Rupiah
Written by George Chellah and Joseph Mwenda
Saturday, June 27, 2009 3:42:35 PM

EDUCATION minister Dora Siliya yesterday demanded that she stands next to President Rupiah Banda so that they could be photographed together during a photo session after her swearing in ceremony at State House. And President Banda told Siliya that he was happy that her matter has ended this way for her.

When preparing for a photo session, Siliya told newly appointed community development and social services permanent secretary Gladys Kristafor that she wanted to stand next to President Banda.

As the group was positioning itself in readiness for the photo-shoot before President Banda joined them, Siliya grabbed Kristafor by the shoulder instructing her to stand on the other side of the President.

"We will put him in the middle so that we are really standing next to him...do you want me to wave? I can wave too," Siliya mockingly told photographers.

Later on when President Banda joined the group, Siliya remarked: "This time I must really stand next to you." And President Banda responded: "Ya! So that they don't have to lie, the pictures will be genuine... they won't have to go to hell for telling lies and manipulating pictures and no one wants to go under the tree today."

During the swearing in ceremony at State House, President Banda expressed satisfaction with the court's decision on Siliya.

"I would like to start by saying a few words about one minister that we have sworn in today. I thank you that you have cleared yourself. And the whole country knows what has transpired with regard to Honourable Dora Siliya and as people believing in our legal system, we believe that the courts will always guide us on how to proceed and having enough precedence," President Banda said. "...Enough examples of people who have gone through similar situations as Honourable Dora Siliya has gone through and have been cleared by the courts and have been reinstated by previous presidents. I am happy that it has ended this way for you."

He pleaded with the country not to join those whose business was to make one Zambian to fight another.

He told Siliya that she was a loyal servant of the Zambian people.

"I have seen you work, I found you in this position as Cabinet minister under the previous president and I am very impressed with your work. I am very happy that you have been set free by the courts, on all counts you are innocent. I wish you all the best. Continue doing your humble service," he said.

President Banda told the newly appointed permanent secretaries that they had come at a time when the country was facing a lot of problems.

"At the last press conference, I think those with ears heard. I see that there are some who are deaf and didn't hear when I said that the country was going through difficulties similar to those other countries are passing through and financial difficulties," President Banda said. "I count upon you permanent secretaries to implement some of the issues that we discussed at the press conference namely; to ensure that we cut down on expenditure in the various ministries, at State House and everywhere.

"I count on you, I know each one of you personally. I have no doubt that you are loyal servants to the Zambian people. Once again, I congratulate you...you are truly a well-selected team and you will work well."

Among those sworn-in were Siliya, State House chief of staff Dr Austin Sichinga, State House chief analyst political affairs Dr Francis Chigunta, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) commissioner Aaron Zulu, communications permanent secretary Dominic Sichinga, permanent secretary management, development division at Cabinet office Ngosa Chisupa, community development permanent secretary Gladys Kristafor and senior private secretary in the Vice-President's office Kenneth Musonda Ngosa.

On the new DEC commissioner, President Banda said: "Mr Zulu, you are commissioner to the Drug Enforcement Commission, a very important section of our governance system. You know the emphasis is now to fight corruption and all the various vices that have inflicted this country. We are in danger of losing our freedom and our peace because of these vices."

In his closing remarks, President Banda jokingly mocked the photographer who took the picture when a monkey urinated on him.

"Unfortunately, for the young man who took my picture of a monkey, there are no monkeys here. I won a bet that was said by Mr Nkonde. He was arguing with someone that I bet the headline tomorrow in the famous paper will be, 'Monkey urinates on Rupiah". He won K50,000. So thank you very much for everything. Let us continue to work hard," said President Banda.

Labels: DORA SILIYA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 2:43 PM