REDEEM COUNCILS

LOCAL authorities in Zambia must grow out of land mismanagement and inertia to start offering quality services they were known for many years back. They should rejuvenate the efficiency and glamour with which they served the communities in the 60s and 70s through to the 80s when refuse collection, general cleanliness, street lighting, environmental health and social services were superfine. Streets and other public places in Lusaka and Copperbelt were particularly clean and well-lit in the night while the rural outposts had nicely graded roads. Residual spraying and health inspections were regular and professional while refuse collection was equally superb through specially-designed refuse trucks. Each household had a rubbish bin which was replaced at once when damaged. Newly graduated professionals and those in the private sector craved to join the councils; surveyors, environmental health inspectors, building and civil engineers as well as accountants all headed to these institutions. Yes, councils offered social services such as housing and water supply. It is also true that up to 1972, the councils supplied electricity to households and other entities after generation by Zesco. That said, management in councils must surely leap out of corruption and maladministration to restore confidence and inspire the public. Refuse collection, for instance, is one undertaking in which councils can invite the private sector to participate. In fact, the councils would be able to generate some funds through such a venture by attaching a manageable fee for residents and business entities. Firstly, the local authorities will have to work hard to change the mind-set of employees at all levels. Greed and selfishness have crept into the minds of the very people who are supposed to offer selfless service. Illegal buildings in many parts of the country have been authorised by the very councils that are mandated to regulate buildings and settlements. What irony! Zambia Railways Limited is now grappling with the problem of illegal structures on reserve land. Developers have documents from local authorities. Heaps of garbage have started developing even after military personnel were deployed to assist clean up the environment at the height of the cholera outbreak. Land has been mismanaged. It has become fashionable for councillors to mount a tirade at each other in public domain over sale of plots when they are in fact policy-makers at local level. They dash out to scramble for land even in gazetted areas Councillors must stick to their roles such as providing a link between communities or wards and the councils as well as making by-laws. As local representatives, the councillors must continue to engage with residents and provide community leadership. In councils, they must be able to understand and contribute to development strategies and policies including budgeting. In doing so, they are required to adhere to the code of conduct. This will trickle down to the principal officer, chief officers and the rest of employees who perform various roles. They must adhere to the provisions of the law and the code of conduct. Residents on the other hand should play their part by ensuring that they dispose of garbage in designated areas and also only erect structures after complying with the established legal procedures. Residents should stop seeking the help of councillors to acquire land; they must stop buying land from councillors. While members of the Local Government Service Commission are working hard on issues relating to human resource, they too need to improve operations and should not take unnecessarily long to make decisions. Local authorities in Zambia need to be redeemed so that the decentralisation policy can work effectively. They should not be used as dumping ground for unqualified personnel or failed professionals who cannot fit in other organisations. Politicians should not manipulate the system. Indeed councils need to be redeemed. PURSUING JUSTICE AND EQUITY WITH INTEGRITY