LUSAKA-UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda has commended Minister of Green Economy and Environment Dr Gilbert Siame for paying a courtesy call on the party secretariat, saying ministers should not forget the party structures that supported their appointment to government.
Mr Imenda was speaking when Dr Siame paid a courtesy call on the UPND leadership at Anderson Kambela Mazoka House in Lusaka.
He said some ministers only return to the party secretariat when they want to seek adoption, and that this is one of the reasons some of them are now “on the streets.”
Mr Imenda said the party remains an important link between the government and its structures.
He described Dr Siame’s visit as a gesture of recognition of the party’s role in supporting the government and its leadership, saying such visits are not common.
He urged ministers and Permanent Secretaries to maintain engagement with the party and understand the importance of the structures that support government.
Meanwhile, Dr Siame said he visited the party secretariat because he recognised that his appointment as minister was made under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND.
Dr Siame said the policies being implemented by his ministry are aligned with the UPND manifesto, making it important for him to maintain dialogue with party leaders and seek their support and ideas.
He said his ministry would operate with an open mind while ensuring transparency, value for money, zero corruption and speed in delivering the government’s development agenda.
Meanwhile, UPND National Chairperson Collins Maoma welcomed Dr Siame’s visit, saying the party was ready to support his work and collaborate in engaging communities and young people in advancing the government’s development agenda.
Dr Siame’s courtesy call comes shortly after his appointment as Minister of Green Economy and Environment.