Government has called for strengthened adherence to district planning frameworks to ensure coordinated, efficient and impactful development across the country.
Speaking at the Annual Meeting for Provincial Planners held in Lusaka, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Nicholas Phiri, emphasised the importance of consistent alignment to Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), which provide the legally established framework for development at district level.
Mr. Phiri also underscored the critical role of planners, describing them as the vital link between national policy and local implementation. He noted that planners are not only technical experts, but also coordinators and advisors responsible for guiding development in a structured and sustainable manner across districts.
He stressed that while IDPs are already in place, greater focus is needed on implementation, coordination and compliance to ensure that development outcomes are fully realised.
โPlanning provides the structure through which development delivers real impact. Strengthening alignment to existing plans is key to achieving meaningful and sustainable outcomes,โ he said.
The Permanent Secretary further highlighted that Provincial Planners play a central role in guiding Local Authorities to align projects and investments including those under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) with approved plans.
He also pointed to the need to address ongoing challenges such as unplanned settlements, weak development control and inconsistencies in the application of planning standards, noting that improved coordination and oversight will be essential.
Mr. Phiri called for continued collaboration with traditional leaders to support orderly land use and sustainable development, particularly in customary areas.
Mr. Phiri reiterated that decentralisation presents an opportunity to improve service delivery, but requires strong planning systems and coordinated implementation at district level.
