All directors at the Zambia Environmental Management Agency, (ZEMA) forming part of the senior management, have been placed on administrative leave for up to 60 days by the ZEMA Board as the government moves to assess their performance and suitability for their positions .
Green Economy and Environment Minister Gilbert Siame says the exercise is aimed at strengthening accountability, operational efficiency and regulatory effectiveness at the agency.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Dr Siame says the affected directors will undergo a competency audit before a decision is made on whether they should return to their positions or leave the institution.
He says the exercise will not disrupt service delivery and will be conducted in accordance with the law.
The minister has also announced the appointment of University of Zambia School of Engineering academic Dr Joel Kabika as interim ZEMA Director General for six months, pending the recruitment of a substantive office holder.
Dr Kabika has more than 20 years of experience in environmental management and water resources governance.
Dr Siame says the realignment is not limited to ZEMA, adding that a similar process has started across departments under his ministry to align institutional structures and staffing with government performance expectations.
The government says the exercise is intended to improve institutional performance, but the outcome of the assessments will determine the future of the affected directors.
By Best Jere
