By SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Government has approved new structures for councils that will have three new directors in the latest stride towards the implementation of the decentralisation policy.
All local authorities across the country will next year have directors for education, health and agriculture reporting to the town clerk as part of the devolution of power and resources to councils.
Local Government and Housing Minister Emmanuel Chenda confirmed in an interview during the week that the devolution sector plans were also being worked on to support the transfer of power to councils.
The announcement marks an important milestone in the implementation of the decentralisation policy that has witnessed prolonged delays to achieve in the past.
“These directors will now be reporting to the town clerk and this means all the workforce that fall under them will now be under the council,” Mr Chenda said.
“I must also mention that this transfer is not just about human resource, but also other resources, including the budget and functions that have been done at the ministry level.”
Mr Chenda said primary education as well as primary healthcare would fall under the respective directorates at the local authority.
He said the Government was currently reviewing the Local Government Act to ensure that it allowed the smooth transition of power from the Central Government to local councils.
The minister recently announced that preparations for the implementation of the policy had reached final stages and the Government was committed to the principles and values of decentralisation.
The PF administration has been seen to be firm believer in the importance of Government operating on the basis of decisions made by citizens at local level.
If well implemented, decentralisation would enable citizens to take part in Government decision-making processes and, therefore, offer enhanced opportunities to put democracy into practice, especially at the local level.
It is the first time that the local authority would be tested with extra authority after being accused of having inadequate capacity to carry out some functions.
The decentralisation secretariat has, however, been on ground to build capacity for councils while establishment of the Local Government Service Commission was also crucial in enhancing qualified human resources in councils.