Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri has challenged councillors and district commissioners (DCs) to move beyond holding titles and start delivering real change through improved performance.
The minister made the remarks in Lilongwe yesterday when he opened the Extraordinary Annual General Assembly of Local Government Authorities under the Malawi Local Government Association (Malga).
Phiri said time has come for public officers to prove their worth and stressed that holding authority is different from exercising it effectively, hence the need for council chairs and DCs to act with the authority they hold.
point of call. | Ntchindi Meki
He said: “You now have the positions. The question is, what next? If the answer is no, meaning that people haven’t noted changes, then probably we need to begin to question our relevance. Local councils are the first point of call for citizens facing disasters, drug shortages, poor roads, and hunger, even before the central government or the President is notified.”
Phiri said local councils must justify their autonomy and use devolved resources to deliver services directly.
Malga executive director Hadrod Mkandawire, speaking in an interview, concurred with the minister’s call for accountability, but emphasised the need for a consistent resource flow.
Meanwhile, the minister said his ministry has drafted revised conditions of service for councillors, which will generally increase sitting allowances, honoraria and the ceiling for motorcycle loans.
Reacting to the call, Zomba City Mayor Christopher Jana wondered why allowances for the Presidency and legislators are adjusted automatically while councillors are required to lobby for revisions.
Currently, councillors receive a minimum honorarium of K150,000 per month, a rate last revised four years ago.
