In a decisive move to bolster service delivery and streamline local government operations, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, MP, convened a high-level meeting with Mayors and Council Chairpersons from across Zambia. The engagement, held in Lusaka on May 15, 2025, aimed to synchronize the work of local authorities with the national development agenda and ensure optimal use of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Hon. Sialubalo opened the session by stressing the critical role of councils in translating government policies into tangible outcomes at community level. With increased CDF allocations this fiscal year, the Minister underscored the urgency of demonstrating efficiency in project execution, ensuring transparency in procurement and fund management, and delivering measurable impact for Zambian citizens.
“Our citizens expect results, and rightly so. This meeting is about confronting challenges head-on, sharing experiences, and working together to ensure that development reaches every corner of the country,” said Hon. Sialubalo.
The roundtable covered several pressing issues facing local government, including project implementation delays, procurement bottlenecks, the need for capacity building, and strengthening of Ward Development Committees to foster grassroots participation. A unifying theme of the meeting was the need for cross-party and inter-institutional collaboration. Hon. Sialubalo urged Mayors, Council Chairpersons, Members of Parliament, and traditional leaders to work in close partnership, putting aside political differences in favor of coordinated development.
Permanent Secretary (Administration), Dr. Gabriel Pollen, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing ongoing technical and administrative support. He outlined the Ministry’s efforts to streamline administrative procedures, introduce digital tracking systems for performance monitoring, and promote innovation and professionalism in local governance. Dr. Pollen emphasized that addressing systemic challenges requires joint responsibility between the Ministry and local authorities.
Participants welcomed the direct engagement with the Minister and pledged to improve transparency, enhance communication with citizens, and accelerate the implementation of community-driven projects. The meeting concluded with a collective agreement to hold regular dialogues between the Ministry and local authorities to support performance tracking, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement in service delivery.