Muchinga Province — Permanent Secretary Dr. Tuesday Bwalya has directed local authorities in Muchinga Province to transform from salary-driven institutions into service-oriented entities that deliver tangible development.
Speaking during an engagement meeting with Town Clerks, Council Secretaries, and Council Chairpersons today, Dr. Bwalya emphasized accountability in service delivery.
“The people of Muchinga Province do not measure development by press releases from Lusaka. They measure it by the borehole in their village, the classroom block in their ward, the market shelter in their town, and the road that connects them to essential services. All of these pass through your offices,” he said.
Dr. Bwalya stressed harmonious working between councils and District Commissioners, noting both are appointed by the President. “You are not competitors; you are partners,” he directed, warning that discord hurts communities.
The PS has directed councils to initiate projects using locally generated revenue rather than relying solely on CDF. “A truly progressive council does not wait for a cheque from Lusaka to act,” he said, calling for visible community projects to encourage compliance and create a virtuous cycle of service delivery.
Declaring feeder road maintenance a top priority, Dr. Bwalya said “Muchinga is an agricultural province. When feeder roads are impassable, farmers cannot access markets, children cannot access schools, and pregnant women cannot access health facilities”.
Dr. Bwalya ordered that all yellow machinery be deployed for service delivery, not just revenue generation. “I want to see a schedule where every grader in the province is assigned a stretch of feeder road to maintain each month.”
He demanded timely CDF project delivery, warning delays erode public trust, and cautioned against corruption. “The President has made it clear that if you are found doing wrong things such as corruption, you are on your own.”
Dr. Bwalya announced rigorous monitoring, with monthly progress reports expected from each district.
“What remains is execution. Let us restore the dignity of the local authority. Let us prove that councils are not salary-paying entities, but true engines of development,” he concluded.
