2022 LGAZ and AMICAALL Conference Declaration

We, the delegates comprising Mayors, Council Chairpersons, Deputy Mayors, Deputy Council Chairpersons, Ward Councillors, Town Clerks, Council Secretaries, Senior Government Officials and other Stakeholders, meeting as the Joint 66th Annual Conference of LGAZ and 19th General Assembly of AMICAALL at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka, from 6th to 9th September under the theme: “Actualizing Decentralization for Sustainable Development: Harnessing Opportunities and Mitigating Challenges.”

Lauding His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia’s fatherly and inspirational counsel for local authorities to be innovative and resourceful in developing and implementing strategies and priorities that attract investment;

Affirming the call by His Excellency the President, for local authorities to play a key role in national development for improved local service delivery

Appreciating the unwavering support His Excellency the President has for local government and the decentralisation process;

Acknowledging the positive steps taken by government to reposition local government into a strategic sphere in national development;

Noting the importance of various stakeholders participating in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of development programmes in their respective areas;

Appreciating the continued support rendered by Cooperating Partners, including the GIZ, USAID, EU, Global Affairs Canada and the UN System to enhance the capacity of the Association and its member local authorities;

Expectant of government’s resolve to actualize decentralisation through devolution in line with the provisions of the Republican Constitution;

Considering the catalytic role of the media in local government and the decentralisation process;

Reaffirming our commitment to the implementation of the Paris Declaration and Fast- Track Cities Initiatives of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030;

Reaffirming our commitment to create platforms for civic engagement and citizen empowerment particularly the marginalised such as the youth, women, persons with disabilities and the poor in our communities;

Declare as follows:

1. To express sincere appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia for his commitment and passion to actualize decentralization by devolution.
2. Call upon Government to expedite the implementation of Constitutional provisions on local government which include Articles 147 (2), on exclusive functions for local government and 149 in fulfilment of the will of the people of Zambia on these and other provisions.
3. Implore government to invoke the provisions of Article 148 (2) of the Republican Constitution with a view to strengthening Ward Development Committees to play a meaningful role in local development programmes.
4. Call upon government to ensure that all devolved functions are accompanied by matching resources through a clear and equitable intergovernmental fiscal transfer system.5
5. We commit to adopt innovative approaches to ensure the delivery of qualitative, inclusive and responsive services to the citizenry.6
6. Call upon the Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute to develop tailor made capacity building programmes for elected officials.
7. Commit ourselves to apply SMART technologies with a view to enhancing own source revenues for improved local service delivery and local development.
8. Call upon government to review the CDF Act No 11 of 2018 to be in line with the spirit of devolution as espoused in the Republican Constitution.9
9. Call upon government to harmonise conflicting pieces of legislation on local government, to be in line with the Constitution and the Decentralisation Policy.
10. Lobby government to amend the Rating Act to enable local authorities levy a rate on all properties within their jurisdiction regardless of tenure.
11. Call upon government to start the process of amending Article 47 of the Republican Constitution to allow for mixed member representation on councils.
12. Commit to closely work with the media with a view to connecting with communities in our respective areas by highlighting key local development programmes and the decentralization process in particular.
13. Endorse the use of initiatives such as the Join-In-Circuit as a way of creating demand for the uptake of HIV and AIDS and related services, to attain the 90-90- 90 HIV treatment targets in our cities and towns.
14. Endeavour to allocate funds to HIV related coordination and community initiatives and explore additional funding sources from local stakeholders to sustain the response.
15. Commit to ensure prudent utilisation of public resources
16. Letters of appreciation be sent to cooperating partners expressing gratitude for the assistance being rendered to LGAZ and member local authorities.