Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa says the Malawi decentralisation delegation visit to Zambia has not only strengthened but deepened the cordial relations between Zambia and Malawi.
Mr Kangwa has described the visit as a meaningful one that has fostered valuable exchanges shared that have reinforced collaboration between Zambia and Malawi
ZANIS reports that Mr Kangwa was speaking during the Decentralisation Secretariat debrief with the Malawian delegation in Lusaka today, through his representative, Permanent Secretary for Management and Development Division, Owen Kanyanta.
He highlighted that this cooperation has reinforced the shared goals and mutual understanding between the two sister countries through the insights exchanged in the past few days that the delegation has been in the country.
“Throughout your visit, you have engaged in meaningful discussions, explored opportunities for partnerships and reaffirmed the importance of working together to address the challenges before us,” he said.
Malawi National Local Government Finance, Executive Director, Khondwani Santhe commended the government of Zambia for the smooth execution of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) attributing it to the country’s good political will.
Dr Santhe noted that his team has observed and learned through their interactions in Zambia that President Hakainde Hichilema is one key driver of decentralisation which he said is a plus.
“The Malawian delegation visit was to have practical as well as hands on experience in the area of decentralisation plus fiscal decentralisation that is being implemented in Zambia,” he said.
He said the visit is vital to Malawi as they are currently working on the review of the intergovernmental fiscal policy in need of a review in addition to a document called local authority financing and fiscal decentralisation.
Dr Santhe said Zambia’s strides in decentralisation will help out his country to execute similar plans and goals.
“We visited very important offices in the area of decentralisation, Minister of Finance, Local government, Lusaka and Kafue City councils among others. We have learned and this visit has been a success” he said.
Malawian Member of Parliament and Chairperson for Budget and Finance Committee, Gladys Gonda described Zambia’s Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a game changer noting that they have interacted with other countries but it’s her first time to see a helpful dashboard.
She has assured that she will ensure that her country implements what they have learned in Zambia to empower Malawian councils for the benefit of the people.
And Zambian Ambassador to Malawi, Panji Kaunda stated that there is need for enhanced cordial relations between the two nations that will actualise into practical learning from each other for the benefit of the two peoples.
“There’s need to learn from each other through knowledge sharing. There is need for our two countries to extend our cordial ties,” he said.
