Strive to make a difference

May 29, 2011

OVER the past week, there has been excitement across the country as the district and sub-country leaders swore in to assume office.

OVER the past week, there has been excitement across the country as the district and sub-country leaders swore in to assume office.

District and sub-county local governments have important roles to play in service delivery and development of their respective areas.

The Local Government Act spells out, in great details, the functions and responsibilities of the district councils; urban councils; municipal councils and other lower local governments.

District councils have very wide functions and responsibilities. They are responsible for education, medical, health, water and road services. All decentralised services such as district planning, land administration, forests and wetlands, trade services and women in development are their mandate.

They are also charged with provision of such facilities such as libraries; art galleries; museums; homes for the aged; school bursaries; recreational facilities and supporting charities.

Unfortunately, many local government leaders do not seem to have a complete grasp of their functions and responsibilities. They still look up to the Central government to do things that, by law, are supposed to be carried out by local governments at the various levels. While local governments experience financial constraints, there is a lot they can do.

Is it beyond the means of any district authorities to establish recreational facilities such as football grounds or community halls?

Can’t district authorities provide scholarships to bright, but needy children at vocational or university level?

What the local leaders need is, first and foremost, a clear understanding of their functions and responsibilities.

Then they should set their priorities right and lay out strategies on how to achieve their goals with the limited resources available.

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