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Oct. 25, 2018

3 min read

Minister accused of undermining councils

Minister accused of undermining councils

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MASERU - The Maseru District Community Councillors have accused the Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship Habofanoe Lehana of undermining their structure. This they said during a press briefing on Wednesday following the Minister's statement on Public Eye Newspaper dated September 14, 2018 where he indicated that at least M60 million maloti is being shelled out annually to district councillors for attending non-productive meetings as both legislative and executive functions are the preserve of central government. He added that the councillors ‘combined perks are enough to pay all civil servants’ salaries for a month saying councillors were ‘being paid for doing nothing’.

Maseru District Council Chairperson Mohoalohoalo Jane said it was funny that the very same person who is supposed to see that Councillors do their work is the one who says they are idling. “This is a sign that he is not doing his job and we wonder why the Prime Minister is still keeping him. It is high time that the Minister is booted out of cabinet,” he suggested.

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He noted that the Minister disregards them as he does not consult them in anyway in relation to the works that have to be done by the councils saying Minister Lehana does not approve of any of their projects instead imposes decisions adding that they made plans but the Minister shoved them away together with public servants.

He indicated that since 1997 local government issues have been a problem due to Ministers who fail to decentralise services saying this is one of the factors which have led to communities not developing because as community elected personnel they are not being consulted in any way, emphasising that the Mr. Lehana has failed to decentralise services and yet shifts the blame to Councillors. Mr. Jane explained that there is no way that they could be expected to work yet there are no resources and everything including money, machinery is being controlled in Maseru by the central government.


He added that they are also offered mocking trainings when they get into office saying instead of improving such things the Minister publicly announces that they idle highlighting that if they could be given control of funds and other things, their communities would be well developed because they (Councillors) are part of the community and know the needs of their communities. He emphasised that they are available and ready to uphold the Prime Minister's call that services be decentralised within six months saying they are only surprised that the Minster made a contrasting statement that decentralisation will only be implemented in 2022.


Adding to the accusations, Tsietsi Ts'umane from Qiloane Community Council said it was sickening that after being elected by the communities to represent them at the central government they are treated like nobody saying instead of making plans with them, the Minster does that with public servants only emphasising that he has turned them into dolls and security guards for broken machinery. “We were elected by the public just like he was and he should respect and treat us accordingly. He should not impose decisions but rather plan everything with us”, he lamented. He highlighted that for the past financial year, the same Minister who said they are idling had to return around M10 million from the M20 million that was given to councils because it had not been used saying for the current year the ministry has been given M16 million for councils saying it will also be returned because their hands have been tight and are not allowed a chance to serve their communities.


He said, if each council could be allocated at least M1 million for construction of roads, they would ensure that through engagement of labourers access roads are constructed and maintained saying this is in line with the Local Government Act which stipulates that one of the councils' responsibility is to attend to minor roads. Meanwhile efforts to speak to the Minister were fruitless as he was said to be out of office. Maseru District has 11 community councils including one urban council.

Lena

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Published: Oct,12