Maravi

Rupiah swears in Namulambe, others

Rupiah swears in Namulambe, others
By George Chellah
Fri 18 June 2010, 13:40 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has told mines deputy minister Gabriel Namulambe and science and technology deputy minister Lameck Mangani that he was sure that there were people that urged them to reject his appointments.

During the swearing ceremony at State House, President Banda welcomed Namulambe and Mangani back. “I am sincerely happy that you have accepted the appointments that I have made.

Despite the fact that you are coming down from being cabinet ministers, we are colleagues we have to continue we have bigger things, which affect all of us. All the Zambian people which I am sure you have considered when you have accepted,” President Banda said.

“I am also sure that there are many people who came to you and said ‘don’t accept, you reject this’. I think those people have to stay were they are, this is your party and your government and I am happy that you agreed to come back. I have not heard anything adverse about your reaction since I asked you to come down to this position. For that, I congratulate you.”

President Banda fired Namulambe for defending the late Levy Mwananawasa’s legacy and Mangani was dropped from cabinet minister to deputy minister.

And during the swearing of Pumulo Mundale as State House chief analyst for legal, President Banda he was very happy to welcome her to the family of State House staff, to Zambia and to the government of Zambia.

“I am sure that you will add great value to the work that we are doing through the legal affairs department. It is one of the busiest departments because there are very few of you. You will just be yourself and Mr Jalasi,” President Banda said.

“I am sure you have the capacity to carry on…I want to say that its particularly pleasing to me to find a suitable young lady to join us. We are doing everything possible to ensure that there is a balance between men and women serving both here at State House and in the government.”

Meanwhile, Presenting her credentials to President Banda, Austrian Ambassador-designate Dr Maria Moya-Gotsch, said bilateral relations between the two countries have existed for several decades.

President Banda told Dr Moya-Gotsch that the two countries share common values and aspirations, which are manifested through their common membership to international organizations such as the UN.

And Algerian Ambassador-designate Lazhar Soualim said Algeria and Zambia share a history of the common struggle against colonialism, apartheid and racial segregation. He said Algerian President has given Africa the top priority for foreign policy. He said his government has offered 40 full scholarships to Zambian students.

Receiving Ambassador Soualim’s credentials, President Banda said his government regrets the apparent lack of progress towards a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the foreseeable future.

“We certainly do not condone any violence at all regardless of its origin. On this score, Zambia is saddened by the recent unfortunate incidents in which innocent lives were lost,” he said.

And Indonesian High Commissioner-designate Eddy Poerwana Wangsadihardja praised the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Receiving High Commissioner Wangsadihardja’s credentials, President Banda said it was Zambia’s desire to see the cooperation between the two countries enhanced even further for the mutual benefit of the people. And Bangladesh Ambassador-designate Shahidul Isam said Bangladesh and Zambia enjoy fraternal relations.

President Banda told Ambassador Isam that Zambia and Bangladesh were developing countries.

“It is therefore imperative that our two countries regularly share ideas and cooperate at the bilateral level on various issues such as the diversification of the economy and industrial development to better the lives of our people,” he said.

Labels: GABRIEL NAMULAMBE, LAMECK MANGANI, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 2:34 PM