By SANFROSSA MANYINDA
WORKERS in local authorities should not resist transfers but go anywhere they are posted to improve service delivery countrywide, the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has directed.
LGSC Chairperson, Amos Musonda, said in Ndola movement of staff from one council to another was demand driven.
“The Local Government Service Commission transfers people from areas of surplus to areas of deficit but it has been observed that there is resistance from a number of employees who urge the commission to reverse the transfers.
“The transfers are not malicious but aimed at providing a service to Zambians countrywide and provides the local government workers opportunities in career growth,” he said.
Mr Musonda said that the past few years, qualified staff were moved from urban to rural areas to balance service delivery.
He said that most councils especially those in rural areas were disadvantaged because they could not attract qualified personnel, stating that in the past few years the LGSC had managed to move qualified staff to rural councils in order to provide services in all districts.
He said the LGSC had a policy to promote family values by ensuring that married couples worked in local authorities that were close to each other.
He urged Council workers to apply for transfers following normal procedures through the Town Clerks or Council Secretaries.
He said that application of transfers based on health needs did not necessarily mean that one would be moved to Lusaka but that they could be moved to any provincial centre as health facilities in provincial centres provided many services.
Meanwhile, Mr Musonda urged employees in the local authorities to be professional as they undertake duties on behalf of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
He said as agents of the ECZ in voter registration and other services, local government workers should be professional and accountable.
“The commission will not tolerate audit queries on alleged pilferage of ECZ resources. The service will provide the necessary support to council staff as they undertake ECZ duties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ndola Deputy Mayor Kennedy Kasaba said the civic leaders were happy with the work the LGSC was doing.
‘Don’t resist transfers to rural councils’
