Equalisation fund is for projects not salaries - PS
GOVERNMENT has instructed all councils across the country to stop using equalisation fund to pay emoluments for workers.
Local Government Permanent Secretary Ed Chomba said the equalisation fund was meant for development and not paying monthly salaries.
Bishop Chomba said Government introduced the equalisation fund in order to help the councils to actualise development in their areas.
He said yesterday when he addressed Kalulushi Municipal Council workers , said that the 80 percent of the equalisation funds need to be used for development in the districts.
The Permanent Secretary said only 20 percent of the equalisation fund needed to be used for operations for the local authority.
He said that development was not being actualised in the districts because the local authorities were using the funds meant for development to clear salary arrears.
Bishop Chomba said local authorities needed to raise their revenues in respective districts in order to pay salaries for the workers.
Bishop Chomba said there was need for mindset change to ensure that councils raised their own revenue and stop depending on the equalisation fund.
"This equalisation fund we send to you it’s not for salaries, it's for development. I think I want it straight so that people have correct information instead of making noise every time you don't receive the fund," he said.
Meanwhile Bishop Chomba instructed all workers in councils across the country to develop individual work plans.
He said there was too much laziness among council workers and from now on they would be appraised according to the individual work plans.