Chadiza Town Council yesterday welcomed a delegation from the Zambia Devolution Support Program (ZDSP) along with officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) and the Local Government Service Commission for a working visit focused on reviewing grant implementation and planning for future funding.

The visit was part of the ongoing government initiative to enhance transparency, accountability, and performance in local authorities through ZDSP, an ambitious World Bank-supported programme running from 2023 to 2028 and targeting ninety-six councils across the country.

During the visit, the delegation held a comprehensive meeting with the Council Secretary and key technical staff to assess progress on the construction of a community hall funded through a grant awarded to Chadiza Council in 2024. Identified as a community priority during local consultations, the hall is expected to be completed within five months and will serve both as a venue for public gatherings and a potential revenue-generating facility for the council.

The visiting officials also reviewed the use of the grant funds to ensure compliance with Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs), which are performance targets that determine whether councils qualify for future funding under ZDSP’s Program-for-Results (PforR) model.

Speaking after the engagement, a representative from the ZDSP team Edgar Mulwanda commended Chadiza Town Council for its visible progress on the project and for demonstrating commitment to core program values such as transparency, proper record keeping, and inclusive community participation.

“ZDSP is more than a funding platform. It is about building systems that deliver meaningful results and foster trust between councils and the communities they serve,” the official said. “Chadiza is clearly moving in the right direction.”

About the Zambia Devolution Support Program

The Zambia Devolution Support Program is a flagship government programme backed by the World Bank with a total budget of US$210 million. Of that amount, US$200 million is earmarked for performance-based grants while US$10 million supports capacity building and programme management.

To qualify for ZDSP funding, councils must meet Minimum Access Conditions (MACs) such as a clean or acceptable audit opinion, submission of timely and accurate financial reports, an approved and compliant budget, functional procurement systems and planning capacity, and active Ward Development Committees.

Once admitted into the programme, councils are evaluated based on DLIs, which include improved budget execution, transparent procurement processes, effective community engagement, compliance with environmental and social standards, and delivery of key public services.

Charting the Path Ahead

As discussions wrapped up, the delegation emphasized that continued funding will depend on how well councils like Chadiza maintain and improve their institutional performance.

Council Secretary Mr. Mumba David Mwansa who led the engagement on behalf of the local authority expressed confidence in Chadiza’s readiness to meet the required benchmarks.

“Our focus is not just on completing the community hall but on strengthening the way we work so that the people of Chadiza can count on us for consistent, honest, and responsive service delivery,” he said.

The visit ended on a high note with both parties reaffirming their shared commitment to building a more effective and citizen-driven local government system in Zambia.