Give councils more cash, says Chisenga

Sat, 22 Jul 2017 10:42:20 +0000

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

THERE is need for Government to increase funding to local authorities to improve service delivery, says former Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga.

Mr Chisenga said that would stop them from diverting funds to salaries for workers as most councils have had financial constraints.

Mr. Chisenga said while he agreed with Minister of Local Government and Housing Vincent Mwale’s directive to councils not to use the equalisation fund on personal emoluments as it was solely meant for supplementing service delivery, nothing will be attained without increased funding to local authorities.

He said the financial burden on councils had worsened since they were also required to take care of emoluments for councillors as an added responsibility.

“I welcome this directive from the minister because I also share his concern that this grant is being used to pay salaries instead of service delivery but I also want to stress the need for the ministry to increase funding to local authorities if this directive is to be effective. The councils have to raise their own resources to pay division four workers and on top of that have to offer the much needed services to the community.

“Moreover, councils have to raise revenue to pay councillors’ monthly salaries and allowances. We have an additional 35 new councils created so far and most of these councils have revenue collection difficulties. If Government can allocate at least 20 to 30 percent of resources of the national budget to local authorities this will ease their challenges,” Mr. Chisenga said.

He suggested that the ministry must direct all councils to halt payment of personal emoluments from the equalisation fund stands and that councils be allowed to utilise part of this fund to pay contributions to LASIF and NAPSA.

He, however, expressed happiness that Government attached great importance to the operations of the local authority as evidenced by its increased allocation of over K800 million this year but said more needed to be done.

“Despite the difficulties some councils face in payment of salaries, there is worse suffering for council workers after retirement. A lot of staff have died without even getting their retirement package simply because there is no money at NAPSA and LASIF as a result of failure by councils to remit statutory contributions to these bodies.

“It is however encouraging to see that this Government under President Edgar Lungu is working and committed to uplifting the living conditions of our people through the local government. The allocation of K869 million this year alone to local authorities itself attests to that fact,” he said.