PRIORITISE RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN CABINET APPOINTMENTS, MITI URGES PRESIDENT HICHILEMA
Activist Laura Miti has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to prioritise rural development and improved service delivery when appointing his Cabinet, saying government must focus on transforming the lives of citizens living far from provincial and district capitals.
Ms. Miti said the appointment of Ministers should be guided by the need to bring rural Zambians into what she described as “real citizenship” by improving infrastructure and access to essential services.
She said the grading and graveling of feeder roads should be prioritised to enable vehicles to travel faster in rural areas, while lasting boreholes should be provided within walking distance of all communities.
Ms. Miti also called for improved accommodation for teachers and health workers serving in remote areas, as well as increased electricity and mobile phone connectivity.
She said employment opportunities arising in local councils should prioritise local residents rather than people transported from other parts of the country.
“End the situation in which any chance at employment means a young person must leave their home area,” she said.
Ms. Miti further urged the government to ensure that Constituency Development Fund projects reflected the actual needs of communities instead of political interests.
“Local people know what they need,” she said.
She identified Local Government, Agriculture, Education, Health and Community Development as some of the most critical portfolios after Finance, arguing that effective leadership in these ministries could significantly improve service delivery.
On Local Government, Ms. Miti said a Minister committed to decentralisation could help ensure that public resources were used to address long-term challenges in local communities.
She also urged the President not to use Permanent Secretary positions to reward political allies, arguing that experienced civil servants should be considered for the roles.
“The PS position is the most critical in government,” she said.
Ms. Miti said rural Zambia should no longer be a place where being born determines whether one can realise their potential.
“Simply, we cannot go on with this situation in which being born in rural Zambia is a curse,” she said.
She also cautioned against appointments that would merely increase government privilege, saying citizens should be able to see tangible differences when the new Cabinet assumes office.