Chongwe- Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, has urged councils across the country to refocus on their core mandate of delivering quality services to the people.
Speaking at a consultative meeting with Provincial Officers and Principal Officers of Local Authorities held at the Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute, the Minister emphasised the importance of actualising decentralisation and translating government policies into visible development outcomes.
“As Local Government, our mandate is to bring to life government’s vision for sustainable and inclusive development that bridges the rural-urban gap. To do this, we must demonstrate accountable leadership and coordinated action at all levels,” he stated.
Hon. Sialubalo acknowledged the strides made in improving service delivery but noted ongoing challenges, including administrative inertia, poor planning, and non-compliance with financial regulations, which have contributed to delayed services in communities.
“Government, through the Auditor General, the National Assembly and the Ministry, has raised concern over these gaps. The people of Zambia deserve to see the value of their contributions through improved services,” he said.
The Minister described the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a transformative tool but warned that inconsistent utilisation across districts was undermining its impact. He stressed that councils must ensure timely implementation of CDF projects and adherence to financial and procurement procedures.
“This is unacceptable and will not go unchecked. Our citizens deserve access to clean water, health services, schools, and feeder roads. We must address these issues as a matter of urgency,” he added.
Hon. Sialubalo also called for increased innovation in local revenue generation and better coordination in urban and rural development. He challenged provincial officers to offer effective technical support and oversight to district councils.
“You are the arm of the Ministry in the provinces. The success of government depends on your performance, which will be closely monitored going forward,” he said.
The meeting provided a platform to review progress, identify challenges, and propose actionable strategies to improve local governance and service delivery across Zambia.
