Council staff told to change their mentality 

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 14:13:40 +0000

GOVERNMENT has called for a change of mentality and hard work among council workers in Zambia ahead of the devolution of some ministries to the local authorities.

Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale said the job of the council was not just to give out plots or harassing people in the markets but to make sure they delivered the services to the people.

“And this is why we are decentralising some ministries to the local authorities,” Mr Mwale said.

The Local Government Minister was speaking in Solwezi during the official hand over of the three storey Civic Centre Building constructed at the total cost of K26 million.

He said councils were required to play a pivotal role in contributing to the development of the nation as well as efficient, effective and sustainable services to the people.

The minister also said that the devolved functions that would move from line ministries would come with all the structures that they possess currently contrary to assertions that there would be lapses in the operations of the councils.

He said there should be no doubt that they would be unable to perform but there shall be increased transparency and citizen participation.

“So, all those that will be moved from line ministries will come with everybody that works in their structures already, there won’t be any gaps created. Besides that, people will have a say in what will be happening in government service delivery,” he said.

Meanwhile, Solwezi Municipal council mayor Nicholas Mukumbi said the construction of the new civic centre building has been