By Angela Moonga
Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa has urged all permanent secretaries and controlling officers to adhere to the guidelines given by the Zambia Public Procurement Authority when procuring goods and services.
And Kangwa said as the country is headed for the 2026 general elections, the role of senior public service officers was to provide stability and continuity.
Speaking during the 8th Senior Public Service Management meeting held at Mulungushi International Conference Center (MICC) in Lusaka yesterday, Kangwa said government must get value for the money spent on procuring goods and services
“We must ensure that as we procure goods and services for government, we get value for money. In this regard, all government procurements collective focus must be on ensuring that we cross the finish line with tangible results, delivering on the promises we have made to the people of this nation,” Kangwa said.
He said yesterday’s meeting held a unique significance, being the last of this calendar year as it provided the team with a critical opportunity not only to reflect on the milestones of the past months, but also to strategically align themselves for the momentous year that lied ahead.
Kangwa said Zambia was renowned for peace and unity and was symbolised by commemoration of the heroes and unity day every year on
July 04.
He emphasised that heroes and unity day dated back to the time of founding president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, when he envisaged that as a nation with 73 ethnic tribes, Zambia needed to be united.
He said the day was also designed to emphasize a shared Zambian identity over tribal affiliation.
“This is underpinned by our national motto of ‘one Zambia, one Nation.’ Our motto which has been our way of life as Zambians, reinforces the idea that all Zambians are part of one Indivisible nation,” Kangwa said.
He said development was unsustainable without unity, and unity was hollow without tangible development.
Kangwa also said every government policy and every project implemented should be viewed through a dual lens of unity and development.
“Suffice to say that unity and development move hand in hand.
It is impossible to achieve one without the other. Unity is the cornerstone of development. It is for this reason that President Hakainde Hichilema has been preaching peace,” he said. “He has been encouraging traditional leaders, the Church and the general citizenry to continue promoting peace among our citizens.”
He said one of the fundamental objectives of their meetings was to accelerate the implementation of cabinet decisions.
“In this regard, we have been sharing the decisions made by cabinet to facilitate implementation of such policies made by cabinet,” he said. The other issue that was discussed during our meetings was the issue of procurement. Every policy, every project, and every programme must be executed with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose.”
And Kangwa urged all permanent secretaries to continue to exercise strategic oversight, steering their ministries with a steady hand.
He said their duty was to ensure that technocrats performed their tasks efficiently and in line with the general government policy.
Kangwa said 2026 being an election year introduced a dynamic political environment.
‘However, our role as the permanent spine of the government, is plainly clear. We must provide stability and continuity. In this regard, I urge all permanent secretaries to continue to exercise strategic oversight, steering your ministries with a steady hand,” he said. “Our duty is to ensure that that our technocrats perform their tasks efficiently and in line with the general government policy.”
Kangwa also said the business of government must continue seamlessly, irrespective of the political calendar.
He said to guide their efforts and ensure the sustainability of service delivery, government shall continue to rigorously apply the Zambia public service change management framework.
“I urge each of you to champion change within your institutions, to lead by example, and to ensure that the principles of professionalism, ethics, and responsiveness become the hallmark of our public service,” Kangwa said. ‘Together, we can build a smart, accountable, and citizen-focused public service that delivers on the aspirations of our nation.”
He said a key enabler of efficiency will be the enhanced use of digital platforms.
Kangwa said in 2026, government institutions must aggressively leverage technology to streamline processes, improve communication, and enhance the accessibility of public services.
He said digital transformation was no longer an option, but a necessity for a modern, effective government.
“I urge you all to champion digital solutions that break down silos and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks. So far this year, we managed to bring over sixty (60) additional services on the government service bus,” said Kangwa.
“Underpinning all these endeavors is one non-negotiable prerequisite: peace and stability. As public servants, we have a sacred duty to ensure that our country continues to enjoy peace during the elections and long after the polls have closed. We must administer our roles with impartiality, uphold the rule of law, and foster a national environment of calm and unity. Always remember that our work is a cornerstone of the nation’s stability.”
