Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Edgar Lungu (left), Finance Minister Felix Mutati (center) and Presidential Spokesperson Amos Chanda
Works and Supply Minister Felix Mutati says he’s going to his new ministry as a happy man.
Mr Mutati was moved from the ministry of finance to works and supply in a cabinet reshuffle by President Edgar Lungu.
Speaking during a farewell meeting with senior management officials in his former ministry, Mr Mutati says he is happy to serve in his new portfolio and in whichever capacity he will be asked to serve by President Lungu.
He says he will in his new ministry pump in the performance oxygen so that together with other ministries, the works and supply portfolio could effectively contribute to expenditure rationalization by reducing the cost of running the government motor vehicle fleet and cost-effectively maintaining government properties.
Mr Mutati says his vision for his new ministry will be to help shift public sector expenditure from consumption to development and poverty reduction programmes.
He states that the reshuffle made by the President should be taken as a performance enhancement booster and it should enable the public service to focus on pulling together, promoting collective responsibility, and augmenting the passion needed to effectively implement government programmes.
Mr Mutati says the perception that the ministry of works and supply is smaller than Finance does not arise as all ministries have different but important mandates required in unison to facilitate collective contribution to the Vision 2030 and the Seventh National Development Plan, adding that all ministries are integral parts of the government delivery system.
The former finance minister has encouraged the management and staff in the ministry to unreservedly support the new Minister of Finance by developing an implementation plan that will contribute to the promotion of ethical conduct, integrity, and accountability in the public service in line with the measures announced by President Edgar Lungu during a recent workshop on prudent financial management practices held for minister and controlling officers at the Mulungushi International Conference Center in Lusaka.