Govt criticised for appointing two EDs at some ministries

The government has reassigned several executive directors (EDs), with some ministries now having two – a move criticised as wasteful and duplicative.

“The logic of having two EDs in some ministries isn’t explained. We haven’t had that situation before and there is a risk of waste and duplication unless the different duties are very clearly outlined,” Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) executive director Graham Hopwood says.

“Ideally, EDs’ skill sets should match the ministries they are at. This may be obvious in some cases, but in others there doesn’t appear to be an alignment.”

This comes after Cabinet secretary George Simataa announced a raft of changes to EDs at an array of ministries, with some being downgraded to holding the position without accounting functions.

Executive director of justice and labour relations Gladice Pickering has been assigned to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Executive director of health and social services Ben Nangombe has been transferred to the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Industry.

The works and transport ministry’s Esther Kaapanda will be the new executive director of mines, energy and industry without accounting functions.

Executive director of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Annely Haiphene has been posted to the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs.

Wilhemina Shivute has been moved from defence to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.

The labour ministry’s Lydia Indombo has been moved to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare.

Michael Humavindu of the National Planning Commission (NPC) will now be at the Ministry of Finance and Social Grants Management, while Penda Naanda will be ED of international relations and trade.

Gender equality accounting officer Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati will join the Ministry of International Relations and Trade as an ED without accounting functions.

“I wish to indicate that the EDs without accounting functions are required to assist the accounting officers of those ministries in the execution of the mandates of those offices, ministries and agencies (OMAs).

“Furthermore, they are also required to report to those EDs with accounting functions. OMAs not mentioned remain intact with their current EDs/accounting officers,” Simataa says.

Gerard Vries will be ED of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture without accounting functions after having led the higher education portfolio as accounting officer.

The trade ministry’s Sikongo Haihambo has been posted to the environment ministry, while Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata will be at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.

Teofilus Nghitila, who served as ED in the environment ministry, will also join the agriculture ministry as ED without accounting functions.

The mines ministry’s Penda Ithindi will be ED of health, while Nghidinua Daniel will leave urban and rural development for the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations.

Lastly, I-Ben Nashandi will be the ED for the National Planning Commission after having served in the Office of the Prime Minister.