The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, MP, has expressed strong disappointment over reports of alleged misuse of council machinery in Lufwanyama District. The Minister made the remarks during a fact-finding mission to the district, accompanied by Copperbelt Provincial Minister Hon. Elisha Matambo, MP.
Hon. Sialubalo stated that the Ministry will not tolerate any form of abuse of government resources intended to drive local development. His visit followed reports that several councillors in Lufwanyama walked out of a full council meeting in protest. The councillors alleged that council management had diverted machinery meant for the 36.1-kilometre Fungwele Road project to grade about 2.7 kilometres of a private road, an act they described as a possible abuse of office and a breach of public trust.
The Minister assured residents of Lufwanyama and the broader Zambian public that his Ministry has launched a full investigation into the matter. He promised that disciplinary action would be taken against any officers found to have misused government assets.
“Government will not allow public resources to be misused at the expense of development. Council machinery and funds must be used strictly for the benefit of the people. We expect the highest levels of integrity, transparency, and accountability from all local authority officials,” said Hon. Sialubalo.
He emphasized that accountability is central to Zambia’s development agenda and that every public officer must uphold ethical standards when managing government property. He added that the Ministry is determined to strengthen internal monitoring systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Hon. Sialubalo also called on citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding public resources. He noted that community participation plays a vital role in promoting transparency and ensuring that local development initiatives meet the needs of the people.
The Minister reaffirmed Government’s commitment to improving local governance through the effective implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and other decentralization programs. He stressed that these initiatives are designed to deliver tangible results by bringing services closer to communities and empowering local authorities to act efficiently.
He further urged councillors, council management, and stakeholders to work collaboratively, avoid conflict, and maintain professionalism in carrying out their duties. According to Hon. Sialubalo, harmony among local leaders is essential to restoring public trust and ensuring that development priorities are met.
The Minister concluded by confirming that the Ministry will release the findings of the investigation once the review process is completed. He reiterated that any officer implicated in wrongdoing will face appropriate disciplinary measures in line with government policy on accountability and ethical conduct.