By Chisomo Phiri

Deputy Minister of Local Government Hon. Halima Daudi on Tuesday had a courtesy call with a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Shigeki Komatsubara.

During the meeting, Daudi applauded UNDP for support towards strengthening Local Development Planning System, Hotspot Initiative and critical human rights through Spotlight Initiative saying this will help in developing the local government sectors hence promoting the county’s development.

“We are very thankful to UNDP for this support towards strengthening local development planning system. We have all hope that this initiative will help in developing the whole country at large and we beg the UNDP to spread this all over the country,” thanked Daudi.

The Deputy Minister also requested for further support towards the establishment of Secondary cities, construction of youth friendly sports complex and leisure parks, development of integrated waste management systems, capacity development for officers and provision of firefighting equipment to councils among others.

“As a Ministry responsible for local government and development, we request you to help us establishing secondary cities, constructing the youth friendly sports complexes etc in our city and district councils. Without theses, we are meeting a lot of challenges in achieving the development projects in our councils”, She said.

In his response, Komatsubara said UNDP was excited and ready to assist the Malawi agenda. He therefore, asked for two weeks to consult all relevant authorities for a way forward.

“As UNDP, we are very excited that the Initiative to develop local government sectors is yet to start soon and we promise to assist Malawi. Malawians should not worry, we have a lot to do in making sure that the councils are being developed. What we all is to have time in consulting the authorities to agree on where to start and to go”, Said Komatsubara.