The Council of the Republic of Angola this Friday agreed to the initiative to change the country’s Political and Administrative Division (PAD) into 20 provinces and 325 municipalities.
The decision was made this Friday following a meeting of this collegial body and consultations with Angolan President Joao Lourenço.
Rosa Cruz e Silva, a representative of the organization and who presented the final communiqué of the meeting, noted that the Council supported the division of the provinces of Moxico and Cuando Cubango.
Thus, the province of Moxico will be divided into two parts: it will become the Province of Moxico, with its headquarters in Luena, and the Province of Kassai-Zambeze, with its headquarters in Kazombo.
Cuando Cubango will also be split into two parts: Cuando, headquartered in Mavinga, and Cubango, headquartered in Menongue.
These two new provinces join the 18 already existing, for a total of 20 provinces.
According to Rosa Cruz e Silva, the Council of the Republic of Angola also supported the proposal to upgrade communes and urban districts to the category of municipalities throughout the country, which would add 161 new municipalities to the current 164 municipalities.
The body recommended that the Angolan executive approve a strategy for the implementation of the new DPA and create conditions for training and infrastructure for the new administrative entities.
The DPA proposal, which also included the separation of the provinces of Northern Kwanza and Uige, was the subject of public consultation as well as criticism from opposition political parties and civil society, which defended the implementation of local authorities as a priority.
The Minister of State and head of the Civil Chamber of the President of the Republic, Adan de Almeida, said at the meeting that the document must still be considered by the National Assembly (Parliament).
He noted that the new DPA, which aims to “bring government services closer to the population,” should come into force in 2025 and that the government budget for that year, which will be approved at the end of 2024, should already include funds for 20 provinces and 325 municipalities.
He also assured that the creation of the necessary conditions in the new territorial spaces should occur gradually in 2024.
The Council of the Republic, an advisory body to the President of Angola, consists of the Vice-President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, the Attorney General of the Republic, the leaders of parties with seats in Parliament, members of the government and other persons. personalities invited by João Lourenço.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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