Thursday, March 28, 2024

Government warns against country-wide go-slow action by councils workers

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Amos Malupenga
Amos Malupenga

Local government Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga has warned Kabwe Municipal Council workers to immediately call off their strike where they are demanding that government has not released equalization funds for the month of December, 2018.

Speaking in Ndola when he officiated at the local authorities Principal Officers’ meeting at Levy Mwanawasa stadium, today, Mr. Malupenga said there is no justification for the strike adding that it is not yet the month end for the funds to be released.

Mr. Malupenga said all local authorities must operate in a viable manner and stop depending on funding from central government for their day to day operations including salary payment.

He has called the strike as illegal which has no blessing from the two unions that represent them, further adding that those involved have their days numbered.

Mr. Malupenga also announced that the ministry in January 2019 effect the process of weaning off some councils which have capacity to generate their own revenue and channel the funds to other councils especially those in rural areas.

The Permanent Secretary said Lusaka in particular will be the first local authority to be weaned off in January, 2018 adding that other councils will follow suit from benefiting from the funds before the end of the first quarter.

However, he noted that there are some councils which are performing well and do not depend on funding from central government to pay salaries.

And Local Government Commission Chairperson Amos Musonda warned principal officers of being fired if they fail to perform according to expectation.

Speaking at the same occasion, Mr. Musonda said it is time the principal officers moved from their comfort zones and discharge duties accordingly.

He said the commission is dismayed at the behaviour of some of the principal officers who he said dilute policy direction and sometimes not to obey instructions.

The Local Government Commission Chairperson stated that the commission will be forced to introduced performance based contracts for principle officers adding that it is one of the ways that will help them up their games.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Amos threats won’t work, if you don’t have money you’re better off explaining to the workers that the bag is empty. Issuing threats won’t work, people no longer fear Govt. If you want to know what I mean, go ahead and dare the workers. Can you learn to treat people with respect, without the very people you’re threatening there wouldn’t be your Ministry

    • Comment: Why warning the hungry and impoverished Council workers? Please PS/ Father open your ???? ears to the cry of the poor and debt stricken workers. Remember be good to the people on your way up cause you will need them on your way down.
      Proverbs 21:13 – Whoever closes his ???? ear to the cry of the poor will he himself cry out and not be answered.

  2. Mr malupenga ask Mr musonda and he will tell you because him vists kabwe not you.wokers are on strike because it’s now four months without payments not that December of yours and their you are saying go back for work what kind of PS are you take off ur threats else where not in kabwe you are taking people for granted.Just bring another TC and DF finital.

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