PDU to accelerate development – HH

By Masauso Mkwayaya

President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says the Presidential Delivery Unit -PDU- was established to accelerate development in the country.

President HICHILEMA says the PDU aims to enhance public sector efficiency by shifting focus from processes to deliverables.

He says the slowness and bureaucracy in delivering projects within the public sector was one of the key reasons behind the creation of the PDU.

Speaking during the opening of the PDU Forum in Lusaka today, President HICHILEMA said the Unit’s agenda aligns with ministries and parastatals, with the collective goal of delivering for the people.

He has commended public sector workers for adopting the PDU model.

President HICHILEMA also said his personal intervention in resolving longstanding issues between the Government and partners such as Maamba Energy and First Quantum Minerals -FQM called for an institution to provide quick solutions.

He added that another key PDU objective is to resolve the energy crisis.

President HICHILEMA said the PDU has also been given a responsibility to find alternative energy sources and called for the acceleration of energy projects.

He said the PDU is already helping to find solutions as it has reduced the time required to acquire a license for setting up a power plant of five megawatts or less from several months to just two days.

President HICHILEMA also said the private sector has been incorporated to find solutions to various national challenges.

And Head of PDU, KUSOBILE KAMWAMBI, said the Unit has transformed the public sector by promoting data-driven project implementation.

Ms. KAMWAMBI said since its creation 18 months ago, the PDU has improved public sector efficiency.

He said the PDU has developed priority-based metrics, which have been adopted by all 25 ministries to align deliverables with presidential targets.

Ms. KAMWAMBI added that the PDU has also facilitated the formation of task forces across ministries to enhance cross-sectoral interventions.

And speaking at the same event, Secretary to the Cabinet, PATRICK KANGWA said the PDU has delivered focused governance and accountability within the public service.

Mr. KANGWA said the forum is an opportunity to share experiences and draw new plans for areas that are lagging behind.