MINISTER of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha has expressed disappointment at Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) officers who reported late for work following his impromptu visit.
Yesterday morning, Mposha stormed the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) headquarters in Lusaka without warning and what he found left him fuming.
He found only a handful of officers at their desks long after 08:00 hours, the normal reporting time.
Mposha said it was shameful that while President Hakainde Hichilema works up to zero hour, even on weekends, some civil servants still treat government jobs like a weekend retreat.
“If your President is working at midnight, who are you to be reporting for work after 08:00 hours?” he thundered.
“We don’t know 17 hours in this government, we work until the job is done.”
The Minister warned that showing up after 08:20 was not just indiscipline, but theft.
“If you can’t report on time, you are stealing. You are stealing our time and the people’s trust,” he charged.
He said ZEMA’s poor work culture was partly to blame for the delays investors face when seeking environmental approvals, calling for a complete change of attitude.
Furthermore, Mposha was also disappointed by reports that some ZEMA officers were extorting money from clients in exchange for faster approvals.
“I am giving you a friendly warning,” he said sternly.
“Desist from these practices where you want to extort money from clients. I’m watching”
The Minister said he had received alarming information about ZEMA officers who deliberately delay decisions to pressure clients into offering bribes.
He further cautioned that any officer found guilty of extortion would be arrested, not transferred.
Story and Pictures by George Musonda
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PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has emphasised the importance of investing to actualise Africa’s ambitious digital transformation agenda.
He said the agenda cannot succeed without universal access to electricity.
In his keynote address at the third Digital Government Africa Summit yesterday, President Hichilema said digitalisation and energy infrastructure must go hand in hand if the continent is to realise its full potential.
“Without electricity, we will basically slow down our digitalisation. Energy access must be universal to allow digital access to be universal across the continent,” he stated.
The President called for bold, collective investment in energy and digital infrastructure, urging governments, private sector players and development partners to view electricity as a foundational pillar of Africa’s digital future.
He argued that power should not be treated as a separate issue but rather as an integral part of digital strategy, particularly in efforts to support cross-border trade, digital identity systems and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Let’s include energy especially electricity, as part of the investment we need to make. Our aspiration is to be a single, rich market for Africa,” he said.
President Hichilema also spoke strongly about the need for high-quality, affordable digital technologies, pushing back against the narrative that Africa must settle for less.
“Africa does not need third-rate digital technology. We want the first-rate, grade one technology and bring it at a fair price. Access to top-tier digital tools should not be a luxury, but a necessity for the continent’s growth,” the President emphasised.
He also highlighted the broader social impact of digital infrastructure, noting its role in addressing issues such as human trafficking and improving social service delivery.
“A robust digital ID system, supported by reliable electricity and internet connectivity, would not only restore family ties but also help combat illegal activities that distract from Africa’s development agenda,” said the Head of State.
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PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called on African nations to urgently accelerate their digital transformation efforts, warning that failure to embrace digitalisation could leave the continent trailing in global development.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17EFQEcdcu
President Hichilema stressed that digital technology is no longer optional instead, it is essential for Africa’s economic competitiveness, public service delivery and inclusive growth.
According to the Head of State, establishing digital identity systems is essential, as they form the backbone of inclusive service delivery and are key to realising the vision of a more unified and empowered Africa.
He emphasised his belief in a continent that confidently claims its rightful place on the global stage.
President Hichilema made these remarks when he officially opened the 2025 Digital Government Africa Summit in Chongwe district yesterday, an event that brought together over 500 delegates from 26 countries.
He underscored the need for innovative digital solutions to better assess Africa’s economic scale, noting that existing international measurement systems underestimate the continent’s actual economic strength.
“We cannot afford to let inaccurate data continue to undermine Africa’s progress; it is imperative that we harness technology to redefine how the world sees our economies,” he said.
“Africa must move toward a unified identification system that allows citizens to seamlessly access services and opportunities across borders.”
He added that embracing digital technologies is crucial for the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Nigeria’s Zamfara State governor Dauda Lawal backed Africa’s digital agenda, stressing secure, ethical technology needs
He praised Zambia’s leadership in driving transformation.
Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu said digital change is closely tied to good governance and national security.
And Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati called for a connected Africa built on a smart village vision.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane noted automated cash transfers for seniors as proof of tech enhancing public service delivery.
The three-day summit, set to conclude on Thursday, is being held under the theme “Accelerating Digital Transformation for E-Government.”
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