The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gary Nkombo, MP has launched eighteen (18) Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) for Western and Southern Provinces.
The IDPs for 2024–2034 were launched earlier today at Acamms Gardens in Mongu.
The 16 Local Authorities in the province and two from Southern province (Chirundu and Itezhi Tezhi) have unveiled their 10-year comprehensive development plans aimed at steering the districts development towards quality public infrastructure, social development, economic development and environmental management.
In his keynote address, Mr. Nkombo directed all the Local Authorities who’s IDPs have been approved and launched to strictly adhere to the document in the implementation of development projects and programmes in their respective jurisdictions.
The Minister said the IDP’s will empower local structures to plan and implement projects and programmes that are in line with the aspirations of the people in line with the decentralization policy actualized by the New Dawn Administration.
“The 2024–2034 IDP is aligned to the national development framework, the Zambia Vision 2030 together with international commitments and obligations such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said the Minister.
In the plan, the Local Authorities have highlighted how they will improve the Education sector, Roads, Bridges, Water supply, Sanitation, Agriculture, Trade and Furthermore handle Environmental Management issues to mitigate climate change effects.
The Honorable Minister appealed to all stakeholders to commit themselves and play part in the implementation of the plan, as well as the Principal Officers to coordinate the implementation of the plan.
Earlier, Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) Chairperson, Ackson Sejani said the IDPs will ensure inclusiveness in the implementation of development projects and programmes so that no one is left behind.
Mr. Sejani congratulated Local Authorities in the two regions for formulating the IDP’s to ensure coordinated approach to development and called for strict adherence to the IDP’s by all Principal Officers.
The establishment of the IDP is in accordance with the Urban and Regional Act Number 3 of 2015 of the Laws of Zambia.
An IDP is a strategic planning instrument, which gives an overall framework for development in a particular district. The document guides planning, budgeting, management, decision making by all sectors in each district and places and greater emphasis on the integration of socio-economic and spatial planning.
Issued Jointly by:
Western Province, Public Relations Officers.
