Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national development programmes through enhanced collaboration among ministries, provinces and key stakeholders.
Speaking during the official opening of the Third Quarter National Development Coordinating Committee (NDCC) meeting in Lusaka today, Acting Secretary to the Cabinet, Siazongo Siakalenge, who read a speech on behalf of Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, emphasised the importance of collective planning and execution of national initiatives in line with the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).
The media reports that Mr Siakalenge said the NDCC serves as a vital platform for reviewing progress and ensuring coordinated implementation of development programmes across various sectors that aim at achieving Zambia’s vision of sustainable economic growth.
He disclosed that the meeting will focus on assessing the performance of the mining sector, prioritising mining as a key driver for economic transformation and job creation.
Mr Siakalenga also added that since 2021, Zambia has made significant progress in creating a conducive policy and operating environment for the mining industry, which has resulted in substantial investment growth.
“Through ongoing reforms, we have established a stable mining fiscal regime, attracted investment, enhanced sustainability and improved the sector’s overall performance,” he said.
He has since recommended coordination among central and local government institutions, cooperating partners and the private sector to ensure that development efforts are coherent, efficient and yield tangible benefits for citizens.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Hapenga Kabeta, said government has continued implementing reforms aimed at making Zambia’s mining environment more inclusive and efficient.
He stated that the ministry has introduced an intelligence system that ensures mining licences are issued within 30 days
“No miner is expected to operate without a valid mining licence,”he said.
Mr Kabeta added that the mining reforms being implemented are key to unlocking opportunities within the mining sector, particularly for artisanal and small-scale operators.
And Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at Cabinet Office, Kennedy Kalunga, says the third quarter NDCC meeting forms a crucial part of Zambia’s national planning and budgeting process, noting that government is determined to ensure that all adopted reforms are effectively implemented.
Mr Kalunga has further reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that the NDCC continues to drive national progress through evidence-based decision making and strong inter sectoral coordination.
