The Joint 66th LGAZ Annual Conference and 19th AMICAALL General Assembly for the year 2022 has officially commenced under the theme “Actualizing Decentralization for Sustainable Development: Harnessing Opportunities and Mitigating Challenges.”
The Conference is the supreme policy making body of the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) held with an aim to bring together all local authorities in the country to combine their common experiences, needs and shared interests for the enhancement of local democracy and governance.
Speaking on behalf of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema during the event, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Gary Nkombo said the new dawn government is working to actualualise the constitutional provisions of decentralization for inclusive growth and development in the country.
President Hichilema said this year’s LGAZ Conference theme resonates perfectly with the government’s priority of taking development closer to the people and uplifting their standard of living.
He stated that this can only be achieved when local authorities begin to unlock the social economic opportunities at the local level working together with other stakeholders for a common purpose and goal in serving the people.
He added that the new Dawn Administration is cognizant of the critical role that local government plays in achieving this inclusive goal and that local authorities are closest to the people; hence better placed to facilitate development in line with the people’s needs.
The President commended LGAZ on its efforts and contributions to shaping the local government system in the strategic development plan for the central government.
He thus declared the Conference officially open.
Meanwhile, Chipata Mayor George Mwanza commended the new dawn government for its works of actualizing decentralization in Zambia.
He emphasized the importance of giving the local people an opportunity to partake in the decision making process concerning matters that affect them.
