By MILDRED KATONGO –
THE Government has warned council management officials not to disregard any instructions given to them by the ministry of Local Government and Housing or risk facing disciplinary actions.
Ministry of Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga said he was dismayed at some council bosses who were in the habit of disregarding the directives that were given to them by the ministry.
Mr Malupenga said when he met town clerks and council secretaries from Copperbelt, North western and Central provinces in Ndola recently that when the ministry issues instructions it was supposed to be followed and implemented as instructed.
He said no council should operate in isolation but need to heed to directives given to them by the ministry.
“Many times we have issued directives and I am not happy that some of you in here disregard what we instruct you to do. No one should disregard instructions and put their own, it is only us who give directives and if we feel we need to recall that is when you cannot follow it,” he said.
Mr Malupenga said the ministry was open and welcomed ideas on the table from different councils on issues related to the operations of the local authorities.
He said if the council management felt the need to give ideas to the ministry, they were free to do so and not disregarding and changing the directives to suit them.
“From this meeting I want to see two council secretaries from the named council and I want to see them regarding the changing of the directives we gave. I am saying this because I want all of you in here to learn. Do not disregard or change instructions to suit you. We have done a lot of talking and now we will be acting and others will face disciplinary actions,” he said.