Former PS grateful for opportunity

RETIRED  Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services (MIBS) permanent secretary Emmanuel Mwamba has expressed gratitude to President Sata for allowing him to serve in his Government since the Patriotic Front assumed office.
Speaking when he handed over work notes to Mr Stephen Mwansa – the new permanent secretary for MIBS – yesterday, Mr Mwamba said he had learnt a lot under President Sata’s tutelage.
“I am most grateful that His Excellency President Sata gave me an opportunity to serve the great people of Zambia,” Mr Mwamba said.  “Everything happens for a reason and when they happen, it’s best to leave matters in God’s hands.”
Mr Mwamba added: “I consider myself as one of the lucky few that were called to serve the nation and I hope I did not fail the people and the President during my service.”
Mr Mwamba has worked for the government as permanent secretary for Northern, Eastern and Western provinces before he was given the MIBS portfolio on September 10, 2013.
He extolled President Sata as a man of action who “genuinely has nothing but the interest of Zambians at heart and many of us are confident he will help achieve great things for Zambians with God’s support”.
And the in-coming permanent secretary Mr Mwansa told the media heads during the handover ceremony that he intends to work with them as a “team captain”.
“We will work as a team as we serve national interest and all I will be is your team captain,” he said.
Mr Mwansa was until yesterday the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry.
“I have no media experience but I am willing to learn from you (media heads) and my door shall remain open for dialogue,” Mr Mwansa said.
The changes are with immediate effect.
Mr Mwansa is a household name in the Zambian business circles and he has a reputation for “eloquence” and “innovation” from amongst his peers.