Decentralisation policy launch cheers Saccord, ZCSD
By Abel Mboozi
Sat 10 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes and the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) have welcomed the launch of the revised decentralisation policy by the government.
Saccord executive director Boniface Cheembe and ZCSD executive secretary Lewis Mwape said in a joint statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that the launch of the policy would help the nation refocus its attention on ensuring improved service delivery at local level.
Last month during the celebrations to mark 100 years of the City of Lusaka, President Michael Sata also launched the revised decentralisation policy.
Saccord and ZCSD noted that in the past years, it had been difficult for citizens to access basic services such as water, education, health and shelter among others, a situation largely due to the centralised system of government that does not promote citizen participation and easy access to basic services.
"Saccord and ZCSD are therefore hopeful that the Patriotic Front government would go beyond the political pronouncements of implementing the decentralisation policy, but ensure that these political pronouncements are implemented," the duo stated.
"This can be done if there is a clear implementation plan of the revised decentralisation policy which should be accompanied by adequate budgetary allocation."
They noted that since the PF proclaimed to be a pro-poor government, it should implement the revised policy as it would act as a means of reducing poverty in Zambia.
The duo stated that citizen participation was cardinal in ensuring that a country's development agenda is undertaken.
They stated that in addition, citizen participation in development enhanced accountability and transparency, thereby improving service delivery.
The duo stated that their organisation had also noted with concern that the 2013 budget, which would soon be concluded, had not yet seen the disbursement of Constituency Development Funds to all constituencies in the country.
They appealed to the government to ensure that the CDF is not disbursed
piecemeal as both rural and urban districts needed to implement projects under the fund before the expiry of the 2013 budget cycle.
"Late disbursement of CDF funds will lead to hasty implementation of projects at district level, which will result in poor quality works which will lead to not achieving intended objectives. This is something that we can avoid as a country so that we have quality works that are realised from CDF monies which helps to improve the quality of life of the citizens," the duo stated.
Labels: BONIFACE CHEEMBE, DECENTRALISATION, SACCORD, ZCSD
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REA plans to decentralise its operations countrywide
By Gift Chanda in Katete
Fri 24 May 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE Rural Electrification Authority plans to decentralise its operations countrywide in bid to efficiently improve access to electricity, says managing director Geoffrey Musonda.
And the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) says works on the Matunga electrification project in Katete, which would see over 3,000 households benefit once the four schools and two health centres in the area are connected to the national grid, are on schedule.
Speaking after touring the project, Musonda disclosed that the authority planned to open offices in all the provincial centres by next year.
He said the authority was targeting opennig at least three offices before the end of this year, of which one of them would be opened in Eastern Province, because of the many projects currently under way.
Musonda explained that having people at district level employed by the REA on a full-time basis would enhance the efficiency of the authority in monitoring construction works.
On the Matunga electrification project construction works, Musonda expressed happiness on what had been done so far, saying works should be completed in time by June.
The Matunga project involves construction of a 26.4-kilometre 33 kilovolts overhead power line from an existing line from Azele substation in a bid to electrify Walumbwe, Matunga, Gaveni, and Nyembe basic schools as well as Gaveni and Nyembe rural health centres.
"From what we have assessed, the project in terms of implementation is on schedule and we are very hopeful that the contractor will be able to complete the project on time. The rainy season had a toll on the rate of implementation but we are satisfied with the way they have moved," said Musonda. "We are also satisfied with the quality of the material being used. Some of the material has been purchased locally and the workmanship looks good so far."
The Matunga project, which is being undertaken at a total cost of KR9 million, is among the 21 grid extension projects REA signed off in November last year.
Labels: DECENTRALISATION, DECONCENTRATION, ENERGY, RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AUTHORITY
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Devolution of power will enhance rule of law, says Habasonda
By Roy Habaalu
Mon 08 Oct. 2012, 14:00 CAT
LEE Habasonda says the ruling party's policy to devolve power will enhance the rule of law and promote good governance.
In an interview, Habasonda, a governance expert and former executive director of the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (Saccord), said devolution of power would allow people to decide on what was important for them.
He said people would have a sense of ownership once they agreed on something and would guard against their decisions.
"As opposed to the central governance type of deciding for people, with devolution people feel part of every decision and are closer to decision making. When they make a decision it means they own the process and therefore take keen interest in a particular project.
"There would be no imposition on the people from outside forces because people would have agreed on how to protect it and in that sense the government would be reducing poverty because people would priotise their own situations and resolve them," Habasonda said.
He further said the government should begin to implement the process of decentralisation in accordance with its manifesto and that decentralization would create jobs and reduce unemployment and local tensions.
Habasonda said this would show how new districts will operate in the new budget.
"Government should create a delimitation commission that will plan on how new districts and province will be accommodated in the next budget and show a long term blue print as informed by the delimitation commission," said Habasonda.
Labels: DECENTRALISATION, LEE HABASONDA
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