Govt launches GESD project

By Chisomo Phiri

The government of Malawi has successfully launched a project called Government to Enable Service Delivery (GESD).

Speaking during the project launch at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Friday 16th April, 2021, the State Vice President Right Hon. Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima said It is believed that  the coming in of GSD project will help the government to calculate the required standards of meaningful Public Services by councils so that citizens can begin see the impact.

” We are hopeful that with this project things are now going to be done easily with meaningful results hence enhancing the social-economic development of the county”, Said Chilima.

Chilima also warned the Local Government Authorities (LGAs) that the government will not tolerate the business as usual culture in councils.

“LGAs shall be held accountable and controlling officers will account for any substandard works. I argue councils to focus on the goal of the project and make sure that they positively contribute to this country’s development   through the noble duty”, he said.

In her words, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Hon. Halima Daudi, MP, explained that the five year project will be financed by the world Bank as a grant to the tune of US$100million.She said her Ministry is geared up to implement the project in all 28 districts councils.

“The project is going to be financed with the financial support from the World Bank and currently the amount of US$100 million is ready to make the project become successful. As a Ministry we are trying everything thing possible for the project to be implemented in all 28 district councils”, said Daudi.

During the launch, the Ministry also announced the Local Authority Assessment( LAPA) results in which Balaka, Lilongwe, Rumphi, Mchinji, Kasungu and Blantyre emerged as the best six performing districts in that order.

The project GESD is being facilitated by Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance and National Local Finance Committee (NLGFC) who are the key lead partners.