President Hakainde Hichilema has called on councillors across the country to prioritise service delivery, cooperation, and constructive engagement in local governance.
Addressing civic leaders, the President emphasised the critical role councillors play at the grassroots level, noting that they operate closest to the people and are central to effective local governance.
President Hichilema stressed the need for strong collaboration between local authorities and central government to ensure meaningful development outcomes.
“They are part of local government and therefore the local government, where councillors operate from, and us at the central government level, must work together in a true partnership.
“Anyone who is elected to public office must know that your first call is to serve the people and not ourselves. We in public office must understand that national interest comes first,” he said.
The President further highlighted the importance of unity among elected officials, regardless of political affiliation, noting that all councillors derive their mandate from the people.
“We respect the decision of the people of Zambia in August 2021. We have to work together to deliver for the people of Zambia.
“In working together to deliver for the people, we have to dialogue so that we can understand the operating circumstances that each one of us find themselves in,” he said.
He also encouraged councillors to enhance the quality of deliberations within council chambers, drawing parallels with the standards expected in the National Assembly and Cabinet.
“We can’t drive development by leaving councillors behind,” the President said.
On the issue of councillors’ conditions of service, President Hichilema disclosed that he has directed relevant authorities to review their emoluments.
“On councillors’ emoluments, President Hichilema said he has asked Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gift Sialubalo to: “look into your conditions of service.”
“That instruction has gone already. We will take into account the conditions and challenges of the country, plus the challenges of the councillors, and then we will look at them from one basket.
“Let us therefore continue doing what is right, including councils running projects which will generate revenue such as the solar projects,” said President Hichilema.
In a vote of thanks, Mkaika Constituency’s Mphangwe Ward UPND councillor Elita Nyirenda said councillors have resolved to endorse President Hichilema for the August 13, 2026 general elections.
