News / National
Stop politicking, govt warns local authorities
08 Sep 2014 at 18:14hrs | Views
The government has implored mayors and chairpersons of urban local authorities to be guided by legal provisions that are in place to ensure they do not front political interests which are compromising service delivery.
The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing convened a meeting with mayors, chairpersons, provincial administrators, town clerks and some councillors from all the urban councils to find ways of addressing the challenges facing the authorities.
The meeting resolved that Illegal settlements, dishing out pieces of unserviced land to individuals and co-operatives that do not have the capacity to develop the land, construction of houses without approved layout plans and uncontrolled vending, among other issues, should stop forthwith.
Minister Ignatius Chombo read the riot act to them in the face of allegations that officials are putting political interests ahead of their mandate and urged councils to adhere to legal provisions stipulated under the Urban Councils Act.
The urban authorities were directed with immediate effect to secure court orders to deal with illegal settlements that have sprouted in many urban areas and where they encounter resistance, the local authorities have been given the green light to engage the police.
Most urban councils have been fingered in cases of mismanagement, abuse of council funds especially by top officials and self enrichment practices.
In some local authorities, top managers have awarded themselves loans to buy luxury vehicles while service delivery has continued to suffer.
The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing convened a meeting with mayors, chairpersons, provincial administrators, town clerks and some councillors from all the urban councils to find ways of addressing the challenges facing the authorities.
The meeting resolved that Illegal settlements, dishing out pieces of unserviced land to individuals and co-operatives that do not have the capacity to develop the land, construction of houses without approved layout plans and uncontrolled vending, among other issues, should stop forthwith.
Minister Ignatius Chombo read the riot act to them in the face of allegations that officials are putting political interests ahead of their mandate and urged councils to adhere to legal provisions stipulated under the Urban Councils Act.
The urban authorities were directed with immediate effect to secure court orders to deal with illegal settlements that have sprouted in many urban areas and where they encounter resistance, the local authorities have been given the green light to engage the police.
Most urban councils have been fingered in cases of mismanagement, abuse of council funds especially by top officials and self enrichment practices.
In some local authorities, top managers have awarded themselves loans to buy luxury vehicles while service delivery has continued to suffer.
Source - zbc
