Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gift Sialubalo, has called on local authorities to strengthen collaboration with the central government to enhance service delivery and promote socio-economic development.
Mr Sialubalo said cooperation between councils and the central government is essential for the effective implementation of development programmes.
Speaking at a courtesy call on Chisamba District Commissioner Joel Mboyoma, Mr Sialubalo cited Chisamba District as an example of coordinated governance, noting that the district has maintained a productive working relationship between the two levels of government.
He expressed concern that some councils were operating independently and sidelining central government officials, a situation he said undermines accountability and smooth execution of public programmes.
Mr Sialubalo said local authorities must work closely with presidential appointees, including District Commissioners, to ensure transparency and effective utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
He added that there should be no divisions between the two entities, as both serve the same developmental objectives.
Meanwhile, Chisamba District Commissioner Joel Mboyoma said the district was benefiting from the CDF and various social protection programmes being implemented nationwide.
He said the local authority was responding to community needs through activities such as grading and gravelling township roads and improving infrastructure across the district.
The Minister was in Chisamba to monitor CDF-funded projects.
