Government has appointed a seven-member board of directors for Zambia Airways to oversee the operationalisation of the airline. The appointees are former Attorney General Bonaventure Mutale, former managing director at Zambia National Airports Corporation Robinson Misitala, and Ministry of Transport and Communication Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu.

Others appointed in line with the shareholders agreement between Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Ethiopian Airlines are group chief executive officer Tewolde GebreMariam, vice-president marketing Rahel Assefa and vice-president internal audit and compliance Kassim Geresu at Ethiopian Airlines.

An additional member of the board to represent IDC will be appointed later to bring the number of IDC appointees to four. IDC chief executive officer Mateyo Kaluba announced the appointment of the board members in a statement released yesterday by IDC public relations manager Namakau Mukelabai.

“The chairperson of the board will be selected from the members representing IDC,” Mr Kaluba said. Mr Kaluba said the appointment of the board marks a milestone in the establishment of the national airline. He said the board will undertake necessary steps to ensure that all regulatory requirements to operationalise the airline are met, as well as put in place a competent management team.

“The skills mix and vast experience of the board members gives us the confidence that we have the right team to actualise the joint investment between IDC and Ethiopian Airlines,” he said. Mr Kaluba said the board will also have regular interactions with the media and the general public to ensure effective communication and information sharing.

“He has since congratulated the new members and wished them well as they take on the responsibility to make Zambia Airways an airline that will bring pride and jobs to the Zambian people,” the statement reads in part. Zambia Airways is a partnership venture with Ethiopian Airways.