PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has appointed four permanent secretaries and transferred two with immediate effect.

According to a statement issued by Special Assistant to the President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda yesterday, President Lungu also appointed two people to represent Zambia as High Commissioners.

“Those appointed as Permanent Secretaries are: Mr Chola Chabala, Director Planning – (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Development Planning); Mr Mushuma Mulenga – Acting National Coordinator – (Permanent Secretary, Private Sector Development, Industrialisation and Job Creation Under Cabinet Office); Mr Elias Kamanga, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Copperbelt Province – (Permanent Secretary, Copperbelt Province); and Mr Jobix Kalumba, Provincial Education Officer, Northern Province (Permanent Secretary, Northern Province),” Chanda stated.

“And President Lungu has transferred the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, Mr Stephen Mwansa to the Office of the Vice-President as Permanent Secretary in charge of Administration. The President has also transferred the Permanent for Copperbelt Province Rev. Howard Sikwela to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare in the same capacity.”

And President Lungu appointed former education minister Dr John Phiri as High Commissioner-Designate to Malawi.

“Meanwhile, the President has appointed Dr. John Jafete Ngwata Phiri as High Commissioner-Designate to the Republic of Malawi and Mr Rayford Mbulu as High Commissioner-Designate to the Republic of Ghana. The President has wished the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and those appointed to serve in the diplomatic service success and God’s blessings in their assignments,” stated Chanda.