LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Minister of local government ,Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda bemoans Minister of Transport, Jacob Hara’s remarks on pushing financial matters of local councils to District councils while his ministry is mandated to do so.
Chimwendo made the remarks on Wednesday, October 2, during the launch of the Decentralization policy.
Chimwendo said the minister’s tricky answer on how district councils should provide for themselves using district council’s funds is a disappointing response from the minister.
“Where will the DCs get the money when the minister is being tricky in responding to issues of financial developments of the districts,’ said Chimwendo.
He has asked the councils to be fully in custody of their own areas.
The launch of the policy was themed “Deeping Decentralization bridge to Malawi 2063.”
Recently, Minister Hara was mentioned in the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) financial fishy deals but NOCMA later refuted the allegations publicly.
On his part, United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) representative Shadrack Omol said the launch of the policy shows government’s commitment in making sure that the right decisions are made at the right time.
Concurring with UNICEF, Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA) Executive Director, Hadrod Zero Mkandawire said the policy seeks to fill the gap even though political will is key to decentralization.
He said for all the councils to have clean audit reports is a plus to decentralization.
Representatives of all the DC’s, Thyolo District commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga said the document will help them work together with other ministries who seem to be superial.
