FORMER LUANSHYA MAYOR WRITES:::
Make office of Mayor Executive instead of removing term remit and bringing back MPs to the Councils.
Looking at the proposed amendment to the constitution especially to do with local authorities l feel there is a need to for wider consultation.
For example bringing Member of Parliament to local authorities will defeat the sprite of decentralisation which separate the roles and responsibilities of MPs and Civic leaders.
The main reason why MPs wants to come to back council it is because of constituency Development Fund (CDF ) not any other reason
Member of Parliament must understand that are policy makers. They formulate laws while Civic leaders make bye laws and do the implementation through chief officers under the local authorities.
My view on Local Government issues which needs to be attended to as a matter of urgency is the harmonizetion of functions of the office of the Mayor/Council Chairperson to that of the Town Clerk and District Commissioner (DC) which brings alot of misunderstanding when it comes to performing functions.
Mayors and Council Chairpersons are Established under article 154(1) and (2 )of the amended 2016 Constitution of Zambia unlike in the past were Mayors and Council Chairpersons where elected by fellow councillors in accordance with section 16(1) (A)and (B) of the Local Government Act cap 281 of the Laws of Zambia.
Therefore Mayors/Chairpersons must be Executive because there elected in accordance to article 47(1) directly by electorate in every district ensuring that their allegiance is to the people not to councillors or specific ward
Mayors/ Council Chairpersons must have condition of services clearly spelt out like those of other constitution office holders.
Also looking at the devolved functions and
responsibilities that have been placed on shoulders of councils Mayors must have authority but up to now if you look at the terms and Reference of Mayors for lack of better term are ceremonial by nature.
Councillors condition of services and qualification must be looked at because not every educated leader has monopoly of wisdom. Knowledge and natural wisdom from God is Different. Councillors are community leaders who don’t only need knowledge but also wisdom.
Last but not the least as a seasoned Civic leader who worked under both provisions of the old and amendment constitution as Mayor been elected into by both councillors and residents. l feel Councils and ward development committees (WDC)must be capacited and supported financially in order to attract more human resource to provide effective and efficient service delivery. Local authorities been the engine of Service delivery must protected to enjoy its autonomy.
I submit
Nathan Chanda Bwalya
Former Mayor of Luanshya.
Public service is not a status symbol for you to go and live off.
The local government elected officials have show us that instead of ensuring CDF is full utilised. Money is going back to government. Why? Instead of being on the ground and ensuring social services are being provided. They fill the should be in council offices parading their status as if that is the product that will get them elected.
No! Nathan Chanda, the head of a Council is the Town Clerk. No you and the machinations you are trying to “pull”. You just want to assert yourselves. Want to be Town clerk. Apply for the job. Work through the ranks. This short cut attitude to the top is what brings about shaddy and incompetent decisions.
No elected official at District level should be executive. Politicians want to create laws that looks after them and not the public who vote for them. If the mayors/Chairpersons are not performers now, what is stopping them and what will make them perform when the position is made executive? SO, ITS A BIG NO FOR ME.