GEARS Commends Government Over Decentralisation Policy
… As Lungu Laments Low Turnout of Voter Apathy in These By-Elections
By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka (22-04-2023 – Zambia24) – The Governance, Elections, Advocacy, and Research Services (GEARS) Initiative has commended the New Dawn Administration for putting measures in place to actualize the implementation of the Decentralization Policy.
The GEARS Initiative Advisory Council Acting Chairperson, Lackson Lungu, told Zambia24 in a statement that the announcement by Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Patrick Kangwa, in a Cabinet Office Circular Number 02 of 2023 and affirmed by the Minister of Information in a statement, that the government has devolved some functions in certain Ministries from the central government to the local government is exciting news.
Lungu said the move will see civil servants being moved from the Central Government and be attached to Local Councils.
Being an organization committed to the promotion of democracy and good governance, Lungu explained that the implementation of the decentralization policy is a sure way of enhancing the democratic governance as it promotes the participation of citizens in the socio-economic activities at local levels. Citizens must start appreciating the delivery of social services and their involvement in governance.
He said the devolution of functions to local authorities will also ease resource mobilization by the local authorities, thereby enhancing the effective and efficient delivery of services to the people.
He said Article 147 of the Constitution of Zambia provides for the devolution of functions from the national government to the local authorities.
“It is, therefore, appropriate that action is being taken to ensure the implementation of this constitutional provision. We understand that this is just the beginning in the process of implementing the Decentralization Policy.”
He urged the government to continue in that trajectory and ensure the full implementation of the policy.
In this regard, Lungu called for serious capacity building of officials at lower levels to ensure success in this noble cause.
He further urged the citizens to continue holding their locally el, elected representatives accountable to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of all devolved functions.
On the recently concluded local government by-elections in Chitimukulu Ward of Chililabombwe District in Copperbelt Province, Katilye Ward of Lupososhi District in Northern Province and Muchinda Ward of Serenje District in Central Province, Lungu commended all stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), all participating political parties, and the electorate, for ensuring a peaceful poll day.
“We congratulate the winning candidates in the by-election and urge them to work on implementing the promises they made during the campaigns.”
He, however, bemoaned the low turnout of voter apathy in these by-elections but was hopeful that citizens will start seeing the need to always participate in all elections that may arise as that gives them a voice in determining the governance of their communities and the nation as a whole.