In a firm address aimed at reinvigorating the national decentralization agenda, Permanent Secretary Rev. Mathews Chilekwa has directed District Devolution Task Forces across Muchinga Province to abandon a “business as usual” approach and deliver tangible results for communities.

Speaking during the re-orientation of devolved functions in Kanchibiya and Lavushimanda, Rev. Chilekwa underscored the New Dawn Administration’s unwavering commitment to shifting power from Lusaka to local authorities in Muchinga.

“The New Dawn Administration has taken matters of decentralization seriously by transferring functions, assets, and resources from central ministries to local authorities,” stated the Permanent Secretary, highlighting parallel efforts in capacity building, financial accountability, and community engagement.

He outlined the critical role of the District Devolution Task Forces, urging them to use the 2023 Decentralization Policy as their “foundation and key anchor document.” Their core mandate, he emphasized, is to coordinate actions that drive citizen empowerment, improve service delivery, including through Constituency Development Fund projects and stimulate local economic growth.

Echoing the directives of the Republican President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, Rev. Chilekwa called for enhanced local planning, innovative revenue generation, and robust stakeholder cooperation to achieve clear outcomes at the grassroots level. He further linked the success of devolution to national resilience, urging “unified action against challenges like climate change and food insecurity.”

The Permanent Secretary concluded with a clear call to action and new accountability measures. He identified “administrative inertia, poor planning, and poor project implementation” as key hurdles that must be immediately addressed.

“We are all leaders in our individual capacities,” he stated, advocating for a collaborative “One Government” approach among all stakeholders.

To ensure sustained momentum and create synergy, Rev. Chilekwa announced a new requirement for all District Task Forces to submit detailed quarterly reports to the Provincial Task Force. This, he said, will provide necessary oversight and “ultimately result in improved service delivery for our people.”

The re-orientation meetings mark a significant push by the provincial administration to streamline the devolution process, ensuring that the transfer of functions translates into efficient, community-driven development across Muchinga Province.