NO CASUALISATION, COUNCILS WARNED

WE don't want our staff to work for more than six months without being confirmed, the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has said.

Commission chairperson Amos Musonda said according to the policy of LGSC six months was more than adequate to have new staff trained.

Speaking when he graced the graduation and pass out of 57 fire-fighters in basic fire-fighters course number 60 of 2017 at the Zambia National Fire Service Training School in Kabwe, Mr Musonda said an employee should be confirmed after six months as per policy.

The LGSC warned that anyone found hindering progression of staff would be bruised as doing so was against the commission’s policy.

“As LGSC we don't want our staff to work for more than six months without being confirmed. After six months there must be a recommendation through the council to the LGSC so that our staff are confirmed and motivated to progress to the next stage,” said Mr Musonda.

He has commended staff at the training school for having what he described as a very good sender secretion which stands at 19 percent from the 57 fire-fighters that have graduated.

And Mr Musonda has directed council secretaries and town clerks in all the 109 councils to budget for the training of 300 fire-fighters in the first half and another 300 at the end of 2018.

He said there was need for man power with the coming of about seven new districts which are Musanzala, Chipangali, Kasenengwa, Lumezi, Chansefu, Lumpososhi and Chifunabuli.

“I am directing council secretaries and town clerks in all the 109 councils to tender in the budget next year so that we can train 300 in the first half and another 300 in the last half of 2018,” said Mr Musonda.

And Ministry of Local Government fire services inspector, Abraham Samu called on the LGSC to improve fire services as they were cardinal in protecting lives and property.

Mr Samu said there was no way the country could continue to lose lives and property worth millions through fire which could be contained with well-equipped fire service in place.