By Blackson Mkupatira

Chiradzulu, June 12, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi on Thursday engaged Chiradzulu District Council where he appreciated the council’s progress on public reforms that are meant to improve service delivery to meet people’s satisfactions in the district.

Usi had an interface meeting with the council’s authorities that met to review reform progress at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre.

He observed that the council’s reform agenda aligns well with both national priorities and the District Development Plan.

He, therefore, hailed the Council for its commitment and clear vision in implementing public sector reforms aimed at improving service delivery.

Usi urged council officials not to treat the reforms as mere tasks but fully believe in them to achieve meaningful transformation for the good of the local authority and the people it serves.

He pointed out the importance of upholding professionalism and ethical values, saying these are crucial to the successful implementation of reforms.

“You also have to map all the NGOs and stakeholders operating in your district and ensure that their interventions are in line with both national and district plans,” he said.

Presenting the council’s progress, Director of Planning and Development, Henderson Kaumi, said the Council is implementing reforms in six key areas.

“We are focusing on urban planning, agricultural commercialization, quality education, youth employment, environmental conservation, and financial sustainability,” he said.

He pointed out challenges that affect implementation of the reforms, citing delays in approving by-laws, insufficient funding, shortage of staff in key sectors, lack of transport for staff, and limited disaster risk reduction (DRR) resources.

“We are lobbying for support from partners and strengthening stakeholder collaboration to address these issues,” he said.

Chiradzulu District Commissioner, Francis Matewere, expressed gratitude over the Vice President’s feedback saying the Council will meet to review and integrate recommendations made at the review meeting.

“We are committed to continuous improvement and will take the advice seriously to ensure we keep progressing as a district,” he said.

Apart from Chiradzulu, Usi also met with officials of Thyolo and Mulanje district councils to discuss reforms in their respective districts.