Maravi

Govt hasn’t neglected L/stone – Chituwo

Govt hasn’t neglected L/stone – Chituwo
By Sandra Lombe in Livingstone
Thu 11 Nov. 2010, 09:30 CAT

Dr Brian Chituwo says the government has not neglected the people of Livingstone and the Livingstone City Council.

And Livingstone council deputy mayor Aggrey Njekwa has said that the continued suspension of the council decampaigns the MMD in the 2011 general elections.
Commenting on the continued suspension of the council, Dr Chituwo, who is local government minister, in an interview admitted that the three-month suspension period had elapsed.

“The council has been suspended since February; it’s true the three months suspension has passed. We have not neglected Livingstone residents and the council. We are concerned and the bottom line is that we are doing something,” he said.

However, he promised to give more details later.
And Njekwa last Friday expressed disappointment over the council’s suspension, which he said was long overdue.

Njekwa, who is also Lizuma ward councillor, appealed to Dr Chituwo to take note that the suspension period of three months had elapsed.

“I want to register our concern over the continued suspension of Livingstone City Council (LCC). The period of suspension has taken long. I am appealing to the local government minister to take note that the period of suspension of three months has elapsed and any further extension of the suspension deems it illegal. The best way forward is to harmonise the situation in Livingstone for the betterment of the residents,” he said.

“It is disheartening that today LCC is operating without the appointed administrator, meaning every decision is being made by the Town Clerk which shouldn’t be the case. There is no way the central government can be operating with the local authority. A collective measure should be taken within the shortest time beyond that its rendered invalid.

He said Dr Chituwo should urgently study the matter of the LCC and come up with a resolution.

“The President has said Livingstone is a special place for him. How does it become special when the elected councillors have been suspended without him as Head of State caring much for the people of Livingstone?” he asked.

“The suspension of the Livingstone City Council decampaigns the MMD and the area member of parliament who has failed to offer leadership in this matter. The MMD stands no chance of scoping the Livingstone constituency either way as MPship (parliamentarian) or councillor despite the MP promising that they will work to make sure the MMD wins.”

Labels: AGGREY NJEKWA, BRIAN CHITUWO, LIVINGSTONE

posted by MrK @ 6:27 PM