The Government has officially handed over the long-delayed Chirundu Town Council Civic Centre, marking a key milestone in strengthening local governance and improving public service delivery in the district.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, MP, described the civic centre as “a new era of service delivery, accountability, and progress for the people of Chirundu.”
Construction of the civic centre began in 2012 but stalled for years due to project delays. The incomplete structure remained a symbol of halted development until Chirundu Town Council revived the project. The Council took ownership and financed completion using locally generated revenue, investing over K1.2 million. Hon. Sialubalo called this “a bold act of determination and self-reliance.”
The facility is expected to improve administrative efficiency by providing a professional working environment for council staff and enabling residents to access public services in an organised and dignified manner. The centre is also projected to increase Council revenue, as previous office housing units will now be rented out to create a sustainable income stream for community development.
The handover ceremony also celebrated the completion of a double-storey office block valued at over K2 million, financed entirely through local revenue. The building expands office space, increases rental opportunities, and strengthens the Council’s asset base for long-term financial stability.
Hon. Sialubalo noted that revenue generated from these investments will support essential services, including garbage collection, drainage improvements, flood mitigation, and overall district cleanliness. He commended the Council’s management, elected officials, and project teams for their resilience, stating that their efforts had created “a legacy that will serve generations to come.”
The Minister concluded by officially handing over the civic centre, emphasising that the true transformation of Chirundu will depend on the integrity, leadership, and accountability of those serving within it.