(By Lolavye Simukoko – Chinsali Municipal Council Assistant Public Relations Manager)
Chinsali residents have begun learning how they stand to benefit from the Land Development Fund (LDF), following sensitisation meetings conducted recently by Chinsali Municipal Council at Mwaba and Mishishi Primary Schools in Chinsali District.
The meetings targeted the FTC and Mishishi communities and brought together stakeholders to discuss how the fund will support structured land development and improved service delivery in the district.
The Local Authority team was led by Town Planner Zelita Phiri Chunga and included Surveyor James Chota, Building Inspector Mwape Mwango, Senior Settlements Officer George Chikwama, Assistant Town Planner Alex Nyondo, and Legal Assistant Rachael Zimba.
The officers engaged residents on the objectives and benefits of the LDF while addressing questions and concerns from the communities.
The LDF in Zambia is a government initiative aimed at promoting orderly land development and infrastructure provision in Local Authorities, especially in peri-urban and rural areas.
It is important to note that the Land Development Fund was established under the Lands Act, Cap. 184 of the Laws of Zambia (1995).
Key objectives of the LDF include:
- Supporting Local Authorities in acquiring, planning, and servicing land for structured urban growth.
- Promoting orderly land development to curb illegal settlements, encroachments, and unplanned urban sprawl.
- Enhancing land tenure security by ensuring proper documentation and formal allocation of land to rightful owners.
- Encouraging investment by providing well-planned land for housing, business, and infrastructure projects.
- Improving infrastructure services such as roads, drainage, water supply, and sanitation in developing areas.
In Chinsali, the fund will primarily benefit areas within the township boundary—such as Kapasa Makasa, Nambuluma, Mulyangolo, Lubu, Hillside (next to the new Civic Centre), Kapwepwe, Mishishi, Tazama, Masandiko, and Chinsali Girls area—as well as selected areas beyond the township boundary.
Through these sensitisation meetings, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable development, and improved service delivery for the residents of Chinsali.
The Council reassured residents that more sensitisation meetings will be held soon to ensure no community is left behind. Members of the remaining communities will be notified in due course when the Local Authority schedules further sessions, and the public is encouraged to actively participate in these important engagements.