Gerald Kampanikiza, News Reporter
LUSAKA – The President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, has urged local authorities to reflect on the privileged position they hold, thanks to the Zambian people.
He made the remarks after hours of interaction and consultation with mayors, heads of councils, town clerks and associated institutions of the Department of Local Government and Rural Development with over 850 delegates.
“Local authorities are particularly important for service delivery because of their close, day-to-day interaction with citizens,” Hichilema said.
He said the troubling problems of their local authorities include a history of disorderly and complete system blackouts which saw a complete lack of planning leading to citizens erecting illegal structures wherever, with no water and sanitation facilities as well as road networks.
“It will be unacceptable for local authorities to allow citizens to build on illegal land and then be told to demolish it when finished as it was a waste of resources and an inconvenience to citizens,” he said.
He therefore advised local authorities to review and address any impediments impeding service delivery, as it is unacceptable for citizens to wait months or even years for mere investment documents to be approved.
“We challenged them to innovate at home by attracting value-added industries, creating jobs and improving revenue collection at the local level, especially now that we have succeeded in eliminating executives from public places,” he said.
