LUSANGAZI DISTRICT SECURES ZDSP FUNDING AND SETS SIGHT ON NEW COMMUNITY HALL PROJECT

Lusangazi District has recorded a major milestone in its development trajectory following its successful qualification for the Zambia Devolution Support Programme (ZDSP) Capital Grant for the 2024/2025 cycle. The district is among 95 local authorities nationwide that met the performance assessment benchmarks set by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), earning each qualifying council an allocation of approximately K2.6 million. This grant is part of the government’s ongoing push to strengthen decentralisation, enhance local service delivery, and empower councils to independently drive community development initiatives based on local priorities.

ZDSP is a national performance-based grant system designed to support councils that demonstrate strong financial management, compliance with planning and procurement laws, adherence to environmental and social safeguards, and the ability to deliver meaningful services to residents. Lusangazi Town Council’s qualification underscores the district’s improving governance systems, internal controls, and commitment to transparent project implementation. It also positions the council among emerging rural authorities showing steady administrative growth since Lusangazi’s establishment as an independent district.

Following the announcement of the grants, Lusangazi Town Council moved swiftly to identify priority projects aligned with community needs, existing developmental gaps, and the district’s integrated development plan. After consultations and technical reviews, the council resolved to invest part of the ZDSP grant into constructing a modern community hall in Ukwimi Ward. The structure, known as the Njamanjiwa Community Hall, is envisioned to become a vital hub for social gatherings, civic meetings, youth activities, cultural events, community trainings, and public information sessions.

The community hall project has already advanced to the procurement stage, with the tender publicly advertised in line with the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) guidelines. The council has pledged strict adherence to ZDSP project management rules, including transparency, competitive tendering, environmental safety measures, and regular reporting to the MLGRD. This commitment is expected to reinforce public trust, especially as the community eagerly anticipates the benefits that the new facility will bring to the district.

For Lusangazi residents, the Njamanjiwa Community Hall represents more than just a building — it signifies progress, unity, and access to a shared public space the district has long needed. Community leaders, ward representatives, and residents have welcomed the initiative, praising the council for prioritising a project that directly strengthens social cohesion and enhances civic engagement. The hall is also expected to improve the council’s ability to host trainings, planning meetings, elections-related engagements, and developmental programmes, reducing logistical challenges that have previously hampered coordinated community outreach.

As Lusangazi continues to grow, the ZDSP grant marks a turning point in its effort to improve infrastructure, responsiveness, and community-centred development. The upcoming construction of the Njamanjiwa Community Hall stands as a practical demonstration of what decentralisation can achieve when councils meet performance standards and are entrusted with the resources to deliver. Once completed, the hall is expected to become one of the district’s most important public assets, symbolising the transformative power of local governance strengthened through the Zambia Devolution Support Programme.