Government has decentralized some of the national government functions to the local authorities in accordance with Cabinet Circular No. 2, following the approval of the Revised National Decentralization Policy by Cabinet.
According to the circular, eight 8 functions under the Ministries of Transport and Logistics, Youth, Sport and Arts, Tourism, Home Affairs and Internal Security, Health, Fisheries and Livestock will be transferred to the Local Authorities in a phased manner in 2023.
According to a statement released today by Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda this afternoon, the staff under these functions will be attached from the Central Government to the local authorities, but will be maintained under Central Government payroll and will continue to enjoy their existing terms and conditions of service.
“Following the approval of the Revised National Decentralisation Policy by Cabinet, and in accordance with the provisions under Article 147 of the Constitution, which was operationalised through Government Gazette Notice No. 1123 of 2021, Cabinet Circular No.2 of 2023 has been issued to facilitate the commencement of transfer of devolved functions from the national Government to the Local Authorities,” she said.
Ms. Kasanda, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson explained that two functions from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and one function from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts will be moved to local authorities in the first phase, between January 1 to April 30, 2023.
“In phase one, which is from 1st January to 30th April, 2023, two functions from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics will be transferred to the local authorities.
The functions are, Pontoons, Ferries, Jetties and Piers, and Harbours. In the same phase, the function of Community Sport will be moved from the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Art to the local authorities” she added.
She added that in the second phase, the vehicle licensing function will be moved from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the cultural matters function will be moved from the Ministry of Tourism as well as the District Archives function from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security to the local authorities.
The Minister further added that from phase three between 1st September to 31st December, 2023, District Health Services including Ambulance Services will devolve from the Ministry of Health to the local authorities, while Veterinary Services will move from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, to the Local Authorities.
Ms. Kasanda stated that the transfer of these functions is aimed at improving delivery of respective services to the people, and improving citizen participation in local governance and developmental issues.
She said government has since provided mechanisms for the smooth transfer of accompanying human resource, operating assets and financing to support the changes.
“Government has, to this effect, provided mechanisms for the smooth movement of accompanying human resource, operating assets and financing, with clearly spelt out work relationships and the duo administration system involving civic and civil administration, earmarked as the forms of administration at district level, providing for collaboration between the chief executives of local authorities and the district administration, in the execution of government policy and programmes” she said.
The decentralization of functions is set to help with the effective implementation of the increased Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Some women are only good for decentralising them in the bedroom. I am disappointed in my former friend kasanda
She is working for an evil regimen
Brilliant move by the govt… decentralizarion is key to development…well done.
Yes.The purpose of decentralization is to devolve decision-making to the grassroots .Its a best way of wealth generation and distribution and good governance That is, more power to district councils to make enforceable by-laws and more importantly ,to raise their own revenues for managing and administering their municipalities .However, in a fully decentralized environment some less -resourced- endowed districts, especially,the newly declared districts, shall inevitably have to die, otherwise they will perpetually have to depend on central government grants
Decentralization became law in Unip but it was never actualized.
Am told UNIP was socialist-humanism, vital to be administered from the centre.This is democracy.
That’s what Unip was but they still went ahead to decentralize.. like I said they didn’t implement it fully.
Veterinary and Livestock should return to the ministry if we are serious about agriculture. This is a highly specialized field. Don’t destroy the little that is provided to farmers. Local authorities are in a mess. The cannot even provide basic services for their residents ( human beings including themselves). Look at how dirty and chaotic our towns are! And you want to give them the responsibility of providing agricultural services for animals/food production. Trouble lies ahead!
Veterinary and Livestock should return to the ministry if we are serious about agriculture. This is a highly specialized field. Don’t destroy the little that is provided to farmers. Local authorities are in a mess. The cannot even provide proper basic services for their resident (human beings including themselves). Look at how dirty and chaotic our towns are! And you want to give them the responsibility of providing agricultural services for animals/food production. I can only see trouble ahead for livestock and fish farmers
Deja Vu UNIP’s thrust was devolution of power, not decentralization even though they had a Decentralization Division under the office of the Prime Minister.These powers were then eroded with the repeal or amendment of the Local Government Act of (I cant retrieve) which effectively centralized the same functions and responsibilities the UPND is trying to decentralize
No need to worry I know what you are trying to say. Bottom line is, it is not Upnd that has introduced the decentralization. They are just implementing it. Same with Nhima… they found it and have just added some improvements. Same as Napsa, it was introduced by Michael Sata when he was minister..
Upnd have just added a new dimension… partial withdraw (good or bad only time will tell)
Vehicle licensing used to be done by the councils but because of misuse of funds the function was taken away from them. Let’s hope there will be measures put which will prevent this.
It was misuse and there was abuse and no control. This led to motor vehicle thefts. A decision was taken to centralise as a way of controlling thefts and uncontrolled issuance of white books. We wait to see the benefits of this change.
Yes! Zambians really love to yoyo. Aimlessly at that because this decision doesnt explain how loopholes will be plugged. In a few years they will overturn their decision
Road license have been extended to Post Office by linking them to Rtsa.
Decentralization in itself is a gud policy, but the pipo at the grassroot are now previledged to abuse the facility. most of the CDF approved projects are in one way or the other, have some connections to the councillor & the WDC Chair. They only approve projects where they benefit from and those of their close friends as the case is for Myooye Ward of Nangoma constituency where the ward committee & the councillor bulldozes & imposes projects they benefit from. how i wish Mumbwa council cud dessolve Myooye Ward Dev. Com.
the 2 are typical thieves.