President Edgar Lungu has created new positions in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and General Education at Permanent Secretary level to which he has appointed Dr Ronald Simwinga and Dr Felix Phiri respectively.

Meanwhile, President Lungu has asked law enforcement agencies to act swiftly on any reports of malpractice.

This is according to a statement issued by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda, Wednesday, who stated that the changes were to ensure effective oversight, accountability and prudent use of government resources.

“The President has promoted the Director for Strategic Planning in the Management Development Division at Cabinet Office, Mr Kashell Mwenya to Permanent Secretary in charge of Renumeration Division at the same office. Mr Mwenya has taken over from Dr Ronald Simwinga who has since been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr Simwinga will be Permanent Secretary in charge of administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The position Permanent Secretary in charge of administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a new creation and is aimed at promoting efficiency and effective service delivery,” Chanda stated.

Meanwhile, President Lungu transferred Dr Ponga to the Ministry of Gender in the same capacity.

Dr Ponga will take over from Dr Felix Phiri who has been transferred to the Ministry of General Education in the same capacity to be in charge of administration, which is also a new creation.

“The President emphasizes that permanent secretaries as controlling officers must do more to minimize and if possible completely eliminate malpractices leading to wastage of public resources. He has directed that he wants to see a complete new picture in the Auditor General’s reports. He has also stressed that law enforcement agencies must always act swiftly on any reported case of abuse,” stated Chanda.

President Lungu also appointed Evaristo Kalonga to serve as Commissioner of Prisons in charge of administration whilst Joseph Chilengi was appointed as Zambia’s Ambassador to Turkey.