18/09/2025 –
The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, has handed over a consignment of laptops to all 116 local authorities across the country, including Chilanga Town Council, as part of its digital transformation and service delivery enhancement agenda. Chilanga Town Council Secretary, Mr. Francis Ndola, officially received the laptops on behalf of the council during a handover ceremony held at the Ministry of Local Government in Lusaka.
Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Mr. Nicholas Phiri, described the initiative as an unprecedented milestone in the history of local government, noting that it is rare for councils to receive such a comprehensive ICT package to support their operations.
Permanent Secretary for Administration, Dr. Gabriel Pollen, underscored government’s unwavering commitment to placing digital transformation at the centre of improved governance. He explained that the laptops will strengthen transparency, accountability, and responsiveness while enabling councils to provide efficient and citizen-centered services.
Mr. Phiri highlighted that the laptops are a critical tool for enhancing the use of the Integrated Constituency Development Fund Management Information System (iCDFMIS), strengthening interaction between councils and citizens through digital platforms, and modernizing council operations. He further outlined other ongoing digital transformation measures under the ministry, including:
• Completion of the Government Wide Area Network (GWAN) across all 116 local authorities.
• Internet connectivity in 79 councils, with the remaining 37 expected to be completed by October 2025.
• Solar system installations in multiple provinces to guarantee reliable power supply.
• Rollout of cloud-based video conferencing facilities to reduce travel costs and modernize workflow.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that laptops, equipped with security tracking systems, should be allocated to key functions such as CDF, revenue management, GIS, and website content management.
“Today’s event is not just about distributing equipment. It is about building modern, efficient, and citizen-responsive local governance structures. Let us embrace this opportunity to transform our councils and ensure accountability in the delivery of services to our people,” Mr. Phiri said.
On behalf of all local authorities, a vote of thanks was delivered by Mporokoso Town Council Secretary, Mr. Henry Siwakwi, who expressed gratitude to government for its continued investment in strengthening service delivery.
Chilanga Town Council wishes to commend government for this important milestone and assures residents of its commitment to put the laptops to effective use in order to improve service delivery and strengthen citizen engagement.
