Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The United States government has pledged to offer financial and technical support to help the Zambian Government to actualize implementation of the decentralization policy.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Zambia, Martin Dale said actualization of the decentralization and devolution of power will lead to the empowerment of citizens to determine their own development trajectory.
Mr. Dale expressed confidence that enhancing the decentralization policy will further empower Local Authorities in Zambia to improve service delivery to communities.
He said his government considers devolution of power to Local Government as a critical component to take meaningful development, democracy and good governance as close to communities as possible.
Mr. Dale was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo at the Ministry in Lusaka.
He said his government stands ready to continue to support the development agenda of Zambia, stating that the US is excited to offer various support on social services like this important policy of decentralization.
He stated that the United Party for National Development-UPND has clear policies of development and he encouraged the New Dawn Administration not to drop guard against fulfilling its agenda to the people of Zambia.
In a statement obtained by Q news Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo implored cooperating partners to help support more reforms aimed at reinforcing the role of Local Authorities to support Zambia’s quest to decentralization.
Mr. Nkombo said the Government is exploring more avenues to increase financial support towards the decentralization agenda apart from disbursement of the Constituency Development Fund-CDF and the Local Government Equalization Fund.
The Minister reaffirmed President Hakainde Hichilema’s resolve to place high premium on decentralization and devolution of resources to the local levels.
He said the progressive transformation agenda on decentralization and devolution of various central Government functions is critical to create employment opportunities.
Mr. Nkombo implored the USA government and other Cooperating Partners to help Zambia develop an engineered dumpsite at Chunga in Lusaka to manage waste in a more organized manner.