.DR MSISKA

By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –

INADEQUATE understanding of district commissioners’ roles and responsibilities has led to failure in the implementation of some of the Government policies and programmes, Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska has said.
Dr Msiska said there was need to ensure that commissioners were fully aware of their roles and responsibilities with regard to the Government’s programmes and procedures to avoid making decisions based on assumptions.
He said this yesterday at Moba Hotel in Kitwe during the official opening of the induction workshop for commissioners drawn from the Copperbelt, Northern, Luapula, North-Western and Western provinces.
The objective of the workshop, which started on Wednesday and is scheduled to close on Sunday, is to acquaint district commissioners with functions of Government aimed at improving performance for effective and efficient delivery of services to the people.
Dr Msiska said the Government had recognised that in the past, implementation of some of the policies and programmes had either failed or lagged behind because of a number of reasons.
“Among these reasons is inadequate understanding by district commissioners of their special roles and responsibilities,” Dr Msiska said.
He also cited inadequate formal induction programmes for commissioners coming from diverse backgrounds with varying experiences and expectations, as well as poor communication and lack of transparency.
Dr Msiska said lack of clear understanding and adherence to laid down roles and responsibilities had resulted in poor and strained working relationships, which adversely affected the implementation of national programmes.
He reminded the commissioners of President Michael Sata’s address to Parliament at the official opening of the fourth session of the 11th National Assembly, where the Head of State reiterated the Government’s commitment to having a professional and efficient public service.
It was Dr Msiska’s expectation that the commissioners, like all other civil servants, should be able to understand and articulate the aspirations of Government as highlighted in the Patriotic Front manifesto and the revised Sixth National Development Plan and other national policies.