Lungu orders councils to implement strategic development plans

Tue, 25 Apr 2017 10:45:18 +0000

By ANDREW MUKOMA

President Edgar Lungu has directed direct all local authorities to put in place and implement strategic development plans aligned to the vision 2030, seventh national development plan, and as guided by the Patriotic Front (PF) manifesto.

And President Lungu has warned District Commissioners, Mayors and Council Chairperson against engaging themselves in conflict at the expense of service delivery.

Mr Lungu said government wanted to ensure that local needs and priorities of citizens at local level on sectors under their portfolio were fulfilled.

He said that although the local government system had deteriorated in the past, the Patriotic Front government has made great strides to revamp it.

He said all the local authorities were now in in a better position to take-off for development so that citizens can benefit from improved service provision.

The President said this in a speech read for the President by Vice President Inonge Wina during the official opening of the 61st Joint Annual Conference of the Local Government Association of Zambia and 14th General Assembly of the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders held at Chrismar Hotel in Livingstone on Monday.

“My administration will continue passing appropriate policies, strategies and legislation that are aimed at revamping the local government system in a sustainable manner to the benefit of the present and future generations at the local level in our country,

The President further said that, his government had continued to increase funding to the local government sector despite the financial constraints the nation was facing as well as encouraging local authorities to raise local revenue.

Mr. Lungu noted that policies, strategies and legislations put in place by the PF government with prudent management of public affairs and resources including land in the local authorities could convert councils to great institutions.