A civic leader in Lusaka has urged government to quickly implement the decentralization policy in order to spearhead development in the country.
Mulungushi ward 18 councilor, Daniel Chisenga, however, said government should first try to define and address the role of a councilor before it can implement the decentralization policy.
Mr Chisenga said in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today that government should define clearly the role of a councilor and recognize them to ease their work.
He said councilors should be respected and that government must always ensure that the local authorities around the country are adequately funded once the decentralization policy is in force.
The councilor added that there is need for the central government to assist councilors in rural areas with transport such as bicycles and motor cycles as they implement the decentralization policy.
Mr Chisenga also said that government should incorporate the grassroots in the policy decision as they know much about their locality.
He said involving the locals will also promote continuity and help stop the tension that exists between the locals, government and the investors.
ZANIS/ENDS/GP/EB
This decentralization policy has been long over due. Whatever, the politics and fear the ruling party may have should be put aside and think about its goodness of this for service delivery where development at district level has not been taking place.
This Decentralisation people are crying about cannot work in Zambia. Lets maintain the status quo and just fund the Councils adequately. Letting the councils to run schools and primary health care will never work for number of reasons: 1. The Councils have no capacity financially and funding from central government cannot be garanteed (sp) going by the history of funding to councils, 2. Most Councillors have no educational background to articulate the current policies on education and Health, 3. There is too much Politics in Councils such that Central Governement will not pay attention to opposition led councils. I rest my case for now.
#2 you must be one of the few Zambians still trapped in the colonial past to deny the decentralisation. If it has worked in other African countries, why can’t it work in Zambia? All the points you have stated actually just confirm the necessity of an organized and decentralised council.
Iwe Chale,
Which african Country are talking about? Have we ever tried to fund the councils up to their budget? my friend, I am talking from experience nI surely believe and know what I am talking about. Right now, the councils are bleeding with no Government grant and very few sources of revenue. Kafupi sold all the housing stock they were making a bit of money from Water utilities were also taken from them too. From the way I understand this decentralization, District Health and Education Boards will be under the council and all Teachers and Medical personnel will be reporting to the TC. Let me know where it works and I will go and see for myself at my expense
I am Decentralization supporter Numbala One!!!
Number 2 you are mistaken. You must be living in Lusaka District and have no idea of what the Zambians in Shangombo are facing. The Federal Govt of Zambia should hasten this process and at the same time put in place a monitoring institution that co-ordinates the respective local governments at national level. In other words put Big Brother in place. It is important tha´t the local govts start financing some of these projects so that they can be made accountable if failure is sighted. You will have MPs that do nothing but put the blame on Lusaka and the people continue to suffer. This should be put to an end. The locals will have a certain amount from the Federal Govt and the rest should be generated by themselves.
Jump into the water because you can swim, irrespective of the depth of the water or strength of the current. You opted for the job but have no idea what it entails, now you are lost, asking central government what your role is? Use your initiative – by that, I don’t mean acquire what isn’t rightfully yours – and do your research. This is a snag in Zambian politics today.
Uncle Choncho,
There is a way to make sure that local councils are adequately funded, and that politics plays no role in their funding.
1) Put it in the constitutions that councils are entitled to 50% of all national revenues, to be paid out by the ZRA directly. This will ensure funding, no matter who is in State House or who has been elected to any council.
2) Make council leader an elected position, so people can kick out anyone who does a bad job. Have a minimum educational requirement for the position.
3) Nationally start a comprehensive capacity building program, not only for coucillors, but civil servants. This will improve the standard of service.
4) Make every council a standard 30,000 people (350 total), and fund them equally.
This means that if the national revenues are $1.1 billion (2004 data), 350 councils would receive $550 million, which would be $1.57 million per council (or $7.6 million per district, over 72 districts).
5) In turn for receiving this money, require 100% openness and transparancy about the councils financing.
In comparison, Solwezi Council (pop. 38,000) had an income of $525,000 (K2.1 billion at K4000/USD) in 2007. Obviously an additional $1.57 million would be a step up, and possibly more than enough to provide for education, run a few clinics and a small hospital, pay police officers and utilities workers, maybe make a few grants available for local entrepreneurs.
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