The Zambia Institute of Planners (ZIP) paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Simuunza Sialubalo, MP, to discuss areas of strategic collaboration aimed at advancing the planning profession and strengthening urban and regional development across the country.
The engagement, held at the Ministry headquarters, allowed ZIP to highlight its mandate, share key policy recommendations, and explore how planners can play a more prominent role in national development through professional support to local authorities.
Hon. Sialubalo welcomed the ZIP delegation and reaffirmed governmentโs commitment to enhancing planning systems that support sustainable, inclusive, and orderly development.
โPlanners are the architects of development. Your expertise is vital in helping us build resilient cities, manage land use effectively, and improve service delivery. Government is open to partnerships that will improve planning standards and implementation across all levels,โ said Hon. Sialubalo.
ZIP President Busiku Sulwe thanked the Minister for the opportunity and pledged the instituteโs support in areas such as capacity building, planning policy reforms, and technical guidance to local authorities.
The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to establish a stronger working relationship between the Ministry and ZIP to ensure Zambiaโs develop
