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Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi Salome Mwananshiku
Zambia’s High Commissioner to Malawi Salome Mwananshiku says it is necessary for the local authorities in the two countries to strengthen ties and enhance exchange of information on service delivery to the people.
Mrs Mwananshiku said Zambia and Malawi share warm and cordial relations which should be harnessed further at various sectors in society for the benefit of the masses.
The High Commissioner made the remarks during a meeting today with Lilongwe Mayor Willie Chapondera on the twinning of cities.
Using this initiative, the Lilongwe City Council intends to collaborate with the Lusaka City Council through exchange programmes aimed at drawing best practices on the management of local authorities.
Mrs Mwananshiku said the idea of increased exchange of information between the two local authorities is timely because it will help Zambia and Malawi to draw lessons and find solutions to the common challenges faced in delivering services to the people.
She said increased cooperation with Malawi was crucial not only at local authority level but in various sectors to help contribute to national development and ultimately address the need for greater integration in the region.
And Mr. Chapondera said the Lilongwe City Council was keen to visit Zambia to draw lessons from the Lusaka City Council on the management of solid waste, collection of taxes and levies, and the licensing of businesses, among other issues.
He said Malawi had no councillors for eight years until May 2014 when the new office bearers were elected hence the need for them to study the current trends in the management of city and municipal councils in Africa and beyond.
Mr. Chapondera said the exchange programmes would help the new councillors to function effectively and play a meaningful role in Malawi.
This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary for Press at the high commission Chansa Kabwela.