Dear Editor,
They must be proactive and work assiduously to improve the way they do things and the results derived therefrom; to facilitate improvements in terms of the range and quality of services provided to residents and so develop viable communities that would sustain its own development programme and, by extension, itself. Let me posit a number of measures which ought to be taken or strengthen if these are already in place to bring about the desired livelihood improvements about which I speak.
Reduce dependency on Central Government for financial resources by inter alia, enhancing and widening your revenue base and reducing expenses. Optimise collection of what is due to the Council in the form of rates and taxes, market fees, building application fees etc., utilizing revenue collected efficiently and accounting for same. Remember that under the Fiscal Transfers Act 2015, the Local Authority can receive grants from Donor Agencies to finance Projects or meet employment costs. It can also borrow money from the Commercial Banks and other Financial Institutions, provided it has the required collateral/ability to repay.
More money available to Council necessarily means that more resources are available to pay better salaries, attract a better quality of staff and to train and upgrade them. It means also that the Council and its staff can reach out with greater frequency and over a much wider population; listening to their concerns and working with them to address these concerns. More and better services can be provided to citizens.
There is a role and contribution to development for Private Enterprise in Local Government Areas; small though their impact may be.
To the extent that these interventions make even a small impact on unemployment figures and provide goods and/or services e.g. clothing and textile, supermarkets, wash bay, restaurants etc., it is nevertheless a case of action speaking louder than words. Expanding and improving the quality of the infrastructure and other services provided by the Council including servicing of kokers and pumps, cleaning of canals and drains, collection and disposal of garbage; daycare for the elderly, street lighting, market/tarmac facilities, cemeteries etc., thereby providing employment and extending the range and quality of services provided by the Local Authority working in conjunction with Private Enterprise.
Enhance service delivery and widen citizens’ involvement. Demand proper financial accounting and reporting. Council’s financial affairs must not be shrouded in secrecy. Increase public awareness and education. Hold community meetings with greater regularity and have activities such as Flag Raising, Day of Sports and religious events such as Diwali, Christmas day, Eid-ul-Ahza which bring people of all ages, gender, ethnicity and class together and provide also income earning opportunities on such occasions.
Audits of Financial records of Municipal and Neighbourhood Councils as per requirements of the Local Government and Municipal Legislation must be done, and reports, including financial reports, must be presented to the Statutory Meetings of the Council for discussion. So that while efforts to intensify revenue collection must be encouraged; so also accountability to the Council and the residents for these resources. We cannot be complacent if we are to build effective local governance which benefits the people.
Sincerely,
Norman Whittaker
Former Minister
Local Government and Regional
Development
