By ALEX NJOVU
THE Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) has welcomed government’s decision to suspend the Livingstone City Council.
ZULAWU general secretary Noah Kalangu said in an interview yesterday that Livingstone councillors did not follow procedure when they suspended town clerk Vivian Chikoti, director of public health George Kumoyo and acting assistant director of engineering Renny Shindelele.
THE Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) has welcomed government’s decision to suspend the Livingstone City Council.
ZULAWU general secretary Noah Kalangu said in an interview yesterday that Livingstone councillors did not follow procedure when they suspended town clerk Vivian Chikoti, director of public health George Kumoyo and acting assistant director of engineering Renny Shindelele.
“We have welcomed the decision by government to suspend the
Livingstone City Council. The councillors made a mistake to suspend the
town clerk, this should serve as a lesson to all councillors in Zambia
to follow the right procedure when making certain decisions,” he said.
Mr Kalangu said there was no need for the councillors to suspend Ms Chikoti, Mr Kumoyo and Mr Shindelele without involving the Local Government Service Commission.
“Councillors no longer employ principal officers, it is the Local Government Service Commission. One wonders how the councillors gathered courage and decided to suspend the town clerk and two others without having respect for the commission, which employs council principal officers,” he said.
Mr Kalangu urged councillors to concentrate on implementing development programmes which are aimed at eradicating poverty in their wards instead of engaging in ‘battles’ which do not benefit the people.
He urged councillors to work with various stakeholders in promoting sustainable development in the country.
“These battles will not take us anywhere, people want development, the councillors must refrain from activities which do not contribute to the development of the country.
“Livingstone is an important city when it comes to issues of tourism, the city fathers cannot afford to engage in unnecessary battles which don’t add value to the development of the city,” he said.
Mr Kalangu commended government for suspending the council and urged other local authorities against making decisions without consulting other stakeholders.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Emerine Kabanshi on Wednesday announced the suspension of the Livingstone City Council.
Ms Kabanshi said the councillors’ decision to suspend Ms Chikoti, Mr Kumoyo and Mr Shindelele is null and void because they overrode the functions of the Local Government Service Commission.
The minister said Ms Chikoti, Mr Kumoyo and Mr Shindelele will continue to serve in their respective positions.
She also announced the appointment of Alex Bwalya as local government administrator for the Livingstone City Council for a period of 90 days to discharge the functions of the council in accordance with Section 88 of the Local Government Act with effect from January 16, 2013.
Mr Kalangu said there was no need for the councillors to suspend Ms Chikoti, Mr Kumoyo and Mr Shindelele without involving the Local Government Service Commission.
“Councillors no longer employ principal officers, it is the Local Government Service Commission. One wonders how the councillors gathered courage and decided to suspend the town clerk and two others without having respect for the commission, which employs council principal officers,” he said.
Mr Kalangu urged councillors to concentrate on implementing development programmes which are aimed at eradicating poverty in their wards instead of engaging in ‘battles’ which do not benefit the people.
He urged councillors to work with various stakeholders in promoting sustainable development in the country.
“These battles will not take us anywhere, people want development, the councillors must refrain from activities which do not contribute to the development of the country.
“Livingstone is an important city when it comes to issues of tourism, the city fathers cannot afford to engage in unnecessary battles which don’t add value to the development of the city,” he said.
Mr Kalangu commended government for suspending the council and urged other local authorities against making decisions without consulting other stakeholders.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Emerine Kabanshi on Wednesday announced the suspension of the Livingstone City Council.
Ms Kabanshi said the councillors’ decision to suspend Ms Chikoti, Mr Kumoyo and Mr Shindelele is null and void because they overrode the functions of the Local Government Service Commission.
The minister said Ms Chikoti, Mr Kumoyo and Mr Shindelele will continue to serve in their respective positions.
She also announced the appointment of Alex Bwalya as local government administrator for the Livingstone City Council for a period of 90 days to discharge the functions of the council in accordance with Section 88 of the Local Government Act with effect from January 16, 2013.
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