National Development Planning Minister Alexander Chiteme has released volume two of the 7th National Development Plan whose aim is to guide on the implementation of projects and programmes contained in it.

In a statement issued by ministry spokesperson Chibaula Silwamba, Thursday, Chiteme revealed that the 2019-2021 medium-term expenditure framework would be more aligned to the plan and fully inform the budget development process.

Chiteme stated that volume two of the plan also defined outputs and indictors that would be used in monitoring and evaluating the process of implementing projects and programmes among other functions.

“You may recall that on 21st June 2017, the republican president His Excellency, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, launched the 7NDP (Volume I), at Mulungushi international conference center. This day remains very important to us and all as citizens because, government through His Excellency the president reaffirmed commitment to planned national development since the re-emerging of national development planning in 2003. Volume II will serve as Government’s prioritization framework and principle guide for the implementation of the 7NDP. To achieve its objective, Volume II outlines costed projects and programmes earmarked for implementation during the plan period. It also defines outputs and indictors that will be used in monitoring and evaluating the implementation process. The implementation plan is not cast in concrete and shall be updated from time to time,” stated Chiteme.

Chiteme stated that the development of the implementation plan was guided by a multi-sectoral reference group comprising key stakeholders from both public and private sectors.

“The development of the implementation plan was guided by a multi-sectoral reference group comprising key stakeholders which included representatives from public sector, private sector, trade unions, academia, civil society organizations, parastatal organizations, and also our cooperating partners. To ensure that all key stakeholders were adequately represented, the formulation process utilized the existing structures that have been put in place for purposes of coordinating the implementation of the 7NDP. This approach was also instrumental in promoting ownership and making key stakeholders understand and appreciate the theory of change on which the plan is premised,” stated Chiteme.

“With the release of Volume II of the 7NDP, the 2019-2021 medium-term expenditure framework will be more aligned to the 7NDP as we now have a document to fully inform the budget development process. As such, it remains for me to challenge all stakeholders to actively participate in implementing the plan. This Plan is for all Zambians and hence, implementation and monitoring will require the participation of all stakeholders. As volume ii is launched, stronger partnerships between development actors are required, so that together we can work in an integrated manner to create a Zambia in which all will be proud to live.”