LOCAL Government and Rural Development Minister Gift Sialubalo has expressed delight with the way Eastern Province is implementing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), describing the works as “quality projects that speak to the real needs of the people.”
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Sialubalo, who wrapped up a five day working visit to the province, said councils and Ward Development Committees (WDCs) in districts such as Chipata, Mambwe, Petauke, Lusangazi and Nyimba had demonstrated a high level of seriousness and accountability in the way projects were being managed.
The minister graded Kaumbwe Constituency at 90 percent, Petauke Central at 70 percent, and Nyimba at 75 percent based on how councils and Ward Development Committees are executing CDF projects.
He explained that the grading reflected both the pace and quality of works and what impressed him most was not the number of projects but the attention to detail and the fact that the works were directly solving real community challenges.
“What has impressed me most is not the number of projects, but the quality of the works being done. These are not just structures, these are solutions to real problems. In some areas, pupils were walking about seven kilometres to access the nearest school, but now classrooms are being built right in their communities,” observed Sialubalo.
He urged councils to continue prioritising quality over quantity and warned engineers and contractors against certifying substandard works.
The working tour began in Malambo Constituency, Mambwe District, where the minister met area MP and Eastern Province minister Peter Phiri and handed over grants and loans to 2025 beneficiaries.
Sialubalo inspected eight new projects in Malambo, including classroom blocks, maternity annexes, water and sanitation facilities and feeder roads.
He was also shown 41 boreholes drilled under the Climate Resilient component of the 2024 CDF.
From Mambwe, Sialubalo moved to Luangeni Constituency in Chipata, where he commissioned Senior Chief Nzamane’s new palace, describing it as a presidential initiative to provide decent accommodation for traditional leaders.
In Petauke District, the Minister commissioned a tipper truck and grader in Petauke Central to boost infrastructure maintenance.
While in Kaumbwe Constituency, he inspected projects such as the new solar-powered Zumaire Rural Health Post, Lunene Dam, school dormitories and a museum under construction at the chiefdom’s arena.
In Nyimba, the minister toured a maternity annex at Chipembe Rural Health Centre and later called on Chief Ndake of the Nsenga people, who praised CDF works being done in his chiefdom.
Summing up his tour, Sialubalo said Eastern Province had demonstrated how CDF should work by delivering projects that directly improve people’s lives.
“I have seen for myself that Eastern Province is doing a great job. People here understand the challenges of their residents and are addressing them in practical ways. This is how CDF should work,” he said.
Sialubalo directed Ward Development Committees to adopt integrated planning approaches that combine schools, water supply, sanitation, and staff housing in a coordinated manner.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, September 6, 2025
