Integrated Development Planning Guidelines Launched

Local government minister Vincent Mwale has launched he integrated  Development planning guidelines with a call on all stakeholders in the local authorities to work together so as to meet the needs of the people in communities in a timely manner.

The IDP is a tool to guide development partners at local level in achieving sustainable development at the local level without leaving anyone behind and enhancing local government capacities for development.

The over 2 million Euros guideline is meant to be used within a period of 36 months in 10 local authorities on the copperbelt, Lusaka and Northern Provinces.

Speaking during the launch of the IDPs,Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale says the need for the preparation of IDPs is in line with the provision of the urban and regional planning act number 3 of 2015 and the seventh national development plan.

He says it is imperative for all actors to work together to meet the needs of people and ensure that resources are targeted in areas of greatest need and that inefficiencies and duplications are eliminated through the IDPs.

Mr. Mwale has since urged all local authorities to prioritise the preparation of an integrated development plan for their respective districts.

And representing the European Union who are one of the major partners and funders of the guidelines,Gianlucca Azzoni says the European Union is hopeful that the launched IDPs will provide methodological support to shape a shared vision for local development planning ,reconciling priorities for land use  and productive activities.

Meanwhile Commonwealth Local Government Forum regional Programme manager Nyasha Simbanegavi who are also the Implementing Partners pledged her organisation’s commitment to ensuring that development is taken to the communities by the local authorities in an adequate and timely manner.