Record keeping crucial for councils, says ministry

Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture deputy director of planning and policy Flemmings Nyirenda has urged district councils to improve on record keeping to score highly in Local Authority Performance Assessment (Lapa).

Speaking on Monday in Nkhata Bay during the dissemination of the council’s 2023 Lapa results, he said the assessors give scores on indicators that they see to ensure that the council has delivered its plans.

Nyirenda, who is also focal person for Governance to Enable Service Delivery (Gesd), said evidence of implementing projects was very important for marks.

However, he said there was improved performance of councils which indicates that they are striving for excellence in service delivery.

“Most district councils have done well this year with an average of  71 percent from 67 percent as of  last year and Nkhata Bay in particular has scored 71 percent, which is encouraging,” said Nyirenda.

Nkhata Bay district commissioner Rodgers Newa said the council has taken all recommendations made positively and was optimistic that it will be among the top 10 in the next assessment.

“We attribute the improved performance to improved documentation of project materials, sector coordination and initiation of Lapa committee at council level,” he said.

Newa said the council received K347 million for its performance, which will supplement their funding.

Nkhata Bay Civil Society Organisations Network chairperson Michael Mwanachawa commended the council for the achievement.