President Edgar Lungu says government will not interfere with the operations of councils concerning their approved levies in order to gain political mileage.
President Lungu observed that government interference on council levies has been affecting the revenue base for local authorities hence they have not been operating efficiently.
He said this in Chipata today when he was conferred with the honour of free man of the municipality of Chipata.
Mr. Lungu cited the abolishing of the bicycle and crop levies by the previous government as a move that affected the Chipata municipal council’s revenue collection.
President Lungu becomes the third President to be conferred with the free man of Chipata municipal council after first President Kenneth Kaunda and South African President Jacob Zuma.
Mr. Lungu pledged to uphold the confidence and trust that the Chipata municipal council has bestowed on him.
And Mr. Lungu has said government has started implementing the revised national decentralisation policy in phases with effect from January 2015.
Mr. Lungu said the implementation of the revised national decentralization policy was the pledge of successful performance in the pursuance of the Patriotic Front (PF) manifesto.
The President said he was convinced that the implementation of the policy will not only strengthen the operations of local authorities but also fortify the country’s democratic dispensation through inclusive governance.
And Mr. Lungu has said government has shown strong commitment to strengthening the local government system through increased budgetary allocation to the sector.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to support the local government system in order to better the lives of the people in the country.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has urged the people of Eastern Province to remain united and uphold the ‘one Zambia: one nation’ unifying motto.
Speaking when he arrived at Chipata airport this morning, President Lungu thanked the people of Eastern province for the support rendered to him prior to the January 20 presidential elections.
The Head of State was met on arrival at the airport by Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone, opposition MMD Kasenengwa Member of Parliament Victoria Kalima and her Chipata central counterpart Mtolo Phiri and many other senior government officials.
The President is in Eastern province to among other programmes officiate at tomorrow’s Nc’wala traditional ceremony of the Ngoni speaking people.
The President is accompanied by Minister of Local Government and Housing John Phiri, Minister of Tourism and Arts Jean Kapata and Minister of Youth and Sport Vincent Mwale.
Very smart ECL, let councils operate autonomously. They have an ear to the ground of their communities. They know best what is needed at the micro level than some bureaucrat from far out of town. Very Wise… VIVA ECL!!!!
Many have tried and failed. The is mere rhetoric. A leader with no vision depending on a so called legacy. An embarrassment of a president
HICHIPUBA HANYA HASUNDA !!!!!
For a president to “make” sense in Zambia he has to make a chain of non achievable promises every week so that he appears to be working.if realizes that his relevance reduces,he gives a new promise even without fulfilling the previous ones.A ” hard working president” in zambia is measured by the promises and appointments he makes.as the old adage goes! A promise is a comfort to a fool.
Meant a promise is a comfort to a f00!
Very true. This is just mere rhetoric because no one in Zambia has the capability to show him metrics a year from now to measure the extent of success of these empty promises
Well, our point exactly about ALL THOSE PROMISES HH made during campaign.
I mean there were some fantasy promises each day.
At least His Excellency is NOT promising in this matter. He actually is putting it to test. Promising is what HH did. This is action. Decentralising aspects of gov’t control in the regions.
So, PATRIOT. To follow your logic, HH should have “put his ideas to test”?
Do you see how illogical your argument is?
One has to be president first, right?
You have just said well . And you insult someone nifwaka or , mwakula ukwabula abafyashi baume or coz of mental problem.
Councils are the waste drain bag in this country, they eat anything in their way and claim they don’t have funds, where and how is CDF used? Funds for water and sanitation don’t have tangible benefits for the people. These are people who claim not to be paid for 6 months but they don’t resign they are as fit as a fiddle. Councils have failed to think outside the box and are always crying for the usual instead of venturing into PPPs they can co run a shopping mall, housing etc
Gud indeed but I wish he cud let the police work independently as well……why comment on Matapa’s death your Excellency?
I thought these traditional ceremonies were under the jurisdiction of the minister of Chiefs and traditinal affiars.Why was the minster left out bwana President Lungu.When you are talking of one Zambia one nation you only include Vincent Mwale,John Phiri what are sending to the massess?
can you balance tribes on your trips with the specific minister in that ministry.
on the collar of the suit i see 666.let us be careful with what we put on.it may look like a design but its not.
666 does not mean anything.
Case in point: What happened in 666 BC? or Better still, what happened in 666 AD?
Nothing!
Try another one: What happens when the speedometer on your car registers 666? What would you of somebody gave you K666? or 666 liters of gasoline?
See how ridiculous your 666 theory is?
That suit can look good on me
How can Mutolo and Kalima welcome Lungu when they both refused to support him in the Jan 20 elections? Both of them supported HH. As for Mutolo, he was busy funding HH through his brother who is Eastern Province Vice chairman. Mutolo was very sure that he would be appointed minister through the intervention of RB, but it failed when Edgar was advised by OP that he supported HH.