. Dr Scott

By BRIAN HATYOKA? –
THE Government is stable and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) is currently peaceful, contrary to reports of squabbles by some sections of online media, Vice-President Guy Scott has said.
Dr Scott said everything was fine and peaceful within the Government and PF in Lusaka and across the country.
The Vice-President was speaking in Livingstone yesterday at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport upon his arrival to open the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) 58th annual conference.
“On Sunday, I welcomed President Michael Sata back from New York and today (Monday) we had a Cabinet meeting where we agreed everything peacefully and the party is also stable,” Dr Scott said.
“The Government is progressing and everything is very peaceful this morning. When you read about lies in some online publications, it is because they have nothing to write about.”
Meanwhile, the Vice-President has supported the reintroduction of crop levies to boost the revenue base for local authorities across the country.
Dr Scott said he supported the reintroduction of crop levies by councils as farmers and other traders were also benefiting from upgraded roads and other infrastructure to transport and market their commodities.
He said there was need for councils to be practical and come up with fundraising ventures which could enhance their revenue.
Dr Scott was speaking at Chrismar Hotel when he officially opened the LGAZ annual conference and 11th Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL) General Assembly.
The conference, which attracted councillors and council officials from across Zambia, is being held under the theme ‘50 years of Local Government: Treasuring the past, reflecting on the present, shaping the future’.
“The local authorities are the suppliers of various services at local level in the country and they also maintain our roads,” Dr Scott said.
“I, therefore, support the reintroduction of crop levies for councils to improve their revenue base.”?Speaking at the same conference, Local Government and Housing Minister Emmanuel Chenda urged the local authorities to be responsive and accountable to the communities they served, in order for them to enhance service delivery to all citizens.
Mr Chenda said the PF Government under the leadership of President Michael Sata had placed importance in the role of the local government in national development.
He, however, said it was saddening to continue receiving reports of illegal land allocation in a number of councils.
He said that implementation of the Decentralisation Policy had reached the final stage and that the Government would shortly commence implementation of key provisions of the policy in 2015.?LGAZ president Mulenga Sata reiterated his call for the Government to consider reintroducing the crop levies for councils.
Mr Sata, who also launched a book on 50 years of local government in Zambia, further urged councils to focus on development and avoid petty grievances.?United Nations resident coordinator in Zambia Janet Rogan called for the promotion of gender equality at local government level.