The Cabinet Office says Government is working diligently to actualize decentralization in the country.
Communications Specialist under the Decentralization Secretariat at Cabinet Office, Twaambo Siavwapa, says President Hakainde Hichilema has been a strong advocate for decentralization even before assuming office.
This was highlighted during a presentation on the implementation and developmental role of decentralization at a Community Engagement Meeting themed “Empowering Citizens through Legal Information Awareness”.
The Community Engagement Meeting was hosted by the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR) under its Zambia Legal Information Institute (ZambiaLII) Project.
Mr. Siavwapa said in 2023, the Government launched the revised National Decentralization Policy, its implementation plan and a simplified citizen’s version of the policy which has been translated into all seven major local languages and braille was developed and launched, for easy comprehension by the citizens.
He stressed that the National Decentralization Policy carries the theme “Realizing Local Development through Citizen Participation” to affirm government’s position that sustainable development can only be achieved if citizens themselves decide on development initiatives and participate by holding local authorities and local leadership accountable.
Mr. Siavwapa highlighted that the constitutional provision for decentralization is crucial for sustainable local economic development.
He explained that the people of Zambia through the Constitution have chosen devolution, a form of decentralization which entails the transfer
“The government is now moving resources to local levels to improve service delivery and ensure that citizens receive the services they need,” said Mr. Siavwapa.
By Eva Hatontola
