Presidential Delivery Unit Unveils Priority Interventions, Marks Progress in Delivering for Zambians
(Lusaka, Wednesday 8 November 2023) The Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) today unveiled nine priority interventions that it intends to fast track in order to bring lasting benefits to the people of Zambia and deliver on the manifesto commitments of President Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development (UPND).
These goals, which address key areas of national development from food security to digital inclusion, have been identified after extensive consultations between the PDU, government ministries, agencies, and the private sector. They are:
Producing one million tonnes of wheat, one million tonnes of soybeans, and 10 million tonnes of maize annually by 2027.
Improving maternal mortality rates from 278 deaths per 100,000 live births to 100 deaths per 100,000 by 2026.
Achieving a minimum of 98% Constituency Development Fund (CDF) utilisation by 2025.
Increasing geological data coverage for mining from 55% to 100% by November 2024, as well as increasing copper production to 3 million tonnes per annum by 2030.
Ensuring 80% of the population over 10-years-old has access to the internet by 2026.
Increasing Zambia’s livestock population to 6 million by 2026.
Registering 100% of the population over 16-years-old for digital ID cards.
Increasing national essential drug availability from 35% to 70% by 2026.
Streamlining trade corridors for the movement of goods and people.
These interventions have been selected for their critical importance in improving the lives of the Zambian people, as well as for their significance to President Hichilema personally.
Commenting on the priority interventions, PDU Head Kusobile Kamwambi said, “We have worked closely with government ministries, agencies, private sector, and other stakeholders to establish where the PDU can be most effective in expediting Zambia’s development and transforming lives. After an initial consultative period, we now have a clear roadmap ahead and can get on with the vital job of delivering for the Zambian people.”
Kamwambi added that the PDU has already made significant progress towards several of its goals. “We have already received our first batch of essential medicines and medical supplies from Egypt. Maize yields are also up 23% compared to a year ago, so we have really hit the ground running,” she said.
Further progress has been made on digital inclusion, such as the introduction of Starlink satellite internet in October and the rollout of free internet access from Liquid Telecom to 450 schools across the country, which is already underway. On maternal health, 62 new maternity annexes have been constructed, 19 of which were funded by the CDF.
The PDU was set up in March 2023 to serve as a catalyst for government service delivery. The unit answers directly to President Hichilema and works in partnership with the private sector, government ministries and agencies using existing budgets. Its expert staff are empowered to act as extensions of the presidential office in order to deliver on the Zambian people’s priorities in an efficient and effective manner.
Further information can be found at www.pdu.gov.zm. You can also follow the PDU on X (@ZambiaPDU), Facebook (Presidential Delivery Unit Zambia), and LinkedIn (Presidential Delivery Unit Zambia).