By Francis Chipalo
State House Chief Communications Strategist Whitney Mulobela has defended the proposed increase of ministries from 25 to 30, saying the move is about delivery and not bloated government.
Mulobela said the realignment which Vice-President W.K. Mutale Nalumango is moving in Parliament today, is meant to rebuild the machinery of Government around the Grow Zambia Agenda.
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“This is not bigger government for its own sake. It rebuilds the machinery of Government around the Grow Zambia Agenda: 10 million tonnes of maize, 10,000 MW of power, 5 million tourists, 3 million tonnes of copper, 3 million tonnes of soya, 1 million tonnes each of wheat and sugar, and a US$1 billion beef industry by 2031,” Mulobela said.
He said the net increase of five ministries has been created by splitting portfolios that had outgrown one desk.
“Electricity and Petroleum. The 2024 drought gave us 17-hour load shedding and cut expected growth in half. Reaching 10,000 MW by 2031 is a full-time job, and fuel supply is a different industry altogether,” he said.
“Trade & Exports, and Industry. Making more, and selling more of it abroad.”
Mulobela said the country is facing a 1.5 million-unit housing deficit which is heading for 3 million by 2030, hence the need for a dedicated Ministry of Housing.
On education, he said free education has added 2.3 million learners and the growth targets need engineers, geologists and artisans, which justifies the creation of a Ministry of Skills & Higher Education.
He said the Ministry of Culture & Arts will anchor the creative economy behind the 5 million tourists target.
“The departments and staff already exist. What changes is the line of accountability above them,” Mulobela said.
He dismissed suggestions that the new structure is bloated, arguing that Zambia has grown from 13.1 million people in 2010 to over 20 million today, adding about 700,000 every year.
“In 2021 the Government inherited 28 ministries for 19 million people. It now proposes 30 for more than 20 million. Per citizen, this structure is leaner,” he said.
Mulobela said countries like South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Indonesia and the UK have all split energy, housing, education or trade portfolios for the same reason.
“South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Indonesia and the UK have all split energy, housing, education or trade portfolios for the same reason: focus delivers. The 2021 structure stabilised the economy. The 2026 structure is built to grow it,” he added.
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