Ministry of Local Government says devolving the country’s economic sectors will improve local government authorities(LGAs) financial landscape for sustainable development and enrich the decentralization process.
Speaking in Dowa on Wednesday during a two day sector devolution meeting, director of Local Government services Sphiwe Mauwa said the ministry intends to facilitate the decentralization process for lands, mining, transport, energy, tourism and trade as key economic sectors.
She said her ministry coordinates implementation of the National Decentralization Policy in line with other sectoral policies, strategic plans and key policy instruments in the public sector.
Said Mauwa; ”So far, 21 sectors been devolved their functions to the LGAs although at different stages. The ministry started engaging ministries and departments whose sectors needed to fully devolve their functions for effective service delivery.”
On his part, Office of President and Cabinet director of policy George Chande said they want more sectors to devolve functions to councils.
”Devolution will ensure that resources are channelled to councils to benefit more Malawians. This will help to deliver governments agenda of transforming councils through public sector reforms,” he said.
Government enacted the National Decentralization policy in 1998 to devolve its powers and functions as reflected in the constitution.
Devolution stages include developing plans, delegation of functions, transferring of financial resources, development budget, human resources and devolution of assets to councils.
Source: The Nation_March 26, 2021_By Anjoya Mwanza-Contributor